Learning to live healthy with heart disease
Since participating in Regions Hospital’s Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation program in early 2011, Paul Pecilunas has become a model of healthy living. His routine includes a heart-healthy diet, daily yoga and meditation, and regular exercise topped off by a 10k run each weekend. Now his biggest lifestyle goal is to share his experience with others. “I want my brothers and their children to learn from my example, because cardiac rehab saved my life.”
Paul’s family has a history of heart disease. His father, uncle and older brother all had their first cardiac surgery before they were 50, so Paul was not surprised when he had his first stent put in at the same age five years ago.
After the surgery, Paul participated in cardiac rehabilitation, but the healthy habits he learned didn’t stick. “I went back to my old ways. I ate too much and didn’t always take my medications.” So when a second stent had to be inserted in early 2011, it was a real eye-opener for him. “I realized that my life depended on the lessons I learned in rehab.”
Program tailored to meet individual needs
Regions Hospital’s Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation program is tailored to the individual needs of each patient and includes 18-36 sessions, based on diagnosis. Hour-long exercise sessions include aerobic activities, stretching and light weight lifting. Voluntary education classes teach participants about nutrition, exercise, medications, stress management, cardiac angiogram and surgical procedures, blood pressure management and how to live well with heart disease. Each patient is also encouraged to see an on-staff dietician. Research has shown a correlation between cardiac rehabilitation programs and an increase in quality of life, a reduction in depressive symptoms and a reduction in hospital readmissions for participants.
Besides the structured learning, Paul learned a lot from his personal interaction with staff and fellow patients. “I wouldn’t have gotten as far without that army of supporters behind me.”
A recent grant from the Sharing at Work employee giving campaign of Regions and HealthPartners is paying for the outpatient cardiac rehabilitation of heart failure patients whose insurance does not cover it. Because of this lack of coverage, less than half of Regions’ heart failure patients would have access to the program without assistance. Paul himself knows people who did not have access to cardiac rehabilitation after a heart event. “If they’re out mowing their lawns and start to feel a tingle in their chests, how do they know what to do? I know my limits and what symptoms to look for because I took the classes.”
Taking charge of his heart disease
In the months since completing rehabilitation, Paul’s disciplined routine of diet, exercise and stress management has paid off. “I’m off most of my medications and have an excellent blood pressure and heart rate,” he says, and he is using his example to encourage others to live a healthy life. Paul himself learned from this father, who became a vegetarian, marathon runner and yoga practitioner after first experiencing heart disease. Now, according to staff members of the cardiac rehabilitation program, Paul has motivated other patients to continue with their rehab and to work toward positive lifestyle changes, both through his example and in his conversations with them.
“My outlook on life really went down for awhile before my second procedure, but I’m much more hopeful now.” Paul says. “I no longer feel as controlled by coronary artery disease. I’m attacking it, not sure waiting for the symptoms to appear. I feel much more in charge.”