When it comes to matters of the heart, women and men are often affected in very different ways. Varying risk factors for heart disease and different, more vague symptoms of a heart attack are two examples.

 

So naturally, a woman also has different needs for cardiac rehabilitation when recovering from a heart attack.

 

The Lancaster General Heart Center makes sure that a woman’s individual needs are addressed to ensure successful rehabilitation and recovery from a heart procedure.

 

“Every program is individualized to a specific person’s condition to help them get back to their lives,” says Cindy Hudson, RN, BSN, Clinical Manager for Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation at the Lancaster General Health Campus. “It’s all about what you can handle and what you need.”

 

Doctors strongly recommend cardiac rehab for all heart patients. It fills three needs patients have following a heart procedure: physiological, educational and emotional.

 

“We treat patients holistically,” Cindy says. “We assist them in making healthy lifestyle changes. And studies show that people who complete a cardiac rehab program do better afterward.”

 

Risk factors that put women at higher risk include birth control pill usage, gestational diabetes, smoking, poor eating habits and stress.

 

Symptoms for a Heart Attack in Women Include: Shortness of breath Unusual fatigue or exhaustion Lightheadedness Nausea, heartburn or indigestion Chest pain/ tightness/pressure that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back Heart palpitations discomfort/pain in one or both arms, the back, between the shoulder blades, neck, jaw or upper stomach Flu-like symptoms with chills & cold sweats Anxiety, or feeling of doom

“Women tend to wait longer before seeking treatment,” Cindy says “We are seeing more and more younger women—women in their 30s—recovering from heart attacks.”

 

Unfortunately, while women suffer heart attacks at about the same rate as men, only about one quarter of Cardiac Rehab’s patients are women.

 

“Women are often in the family role of a caretaker,” Cindy says. “They are very good at pushing their husbands to cardiac rehab, but they don’t take care of themselves and quickly return to their lives. But this is a time to take care of yourself—to have a voice in your own health— so you can continue caring for the people you love.”

 

Rehab usually includes two or three sessions a week, and moms are welcome to bring their children if necessary. You work with a registered nurse and an exercise physiologist and are monitored throughout your entire workout.

 

Cindy says patients perform cardiovascular exercises using a treadmill, stationary bicycle or rowing machine.

 

There are some strength training exercises as well. “Building up muscles to make you stronger helps
decrease the workload on the heart,” she says. Educational classes provided as part of cardiac rehab
include sessions on diet, the heart and how it works, spousal support, stress management, risk factors and exercises at home that fit your busy schedule. A support group for patients with heart conditions is also offered.

 

“We give them the skills and tools to carry on their lifestyle changes after they leave cardiac rehab,” Cindy says.

 

Lancaster General’s Cardiac Rehabilitation is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and is one of only two certified cardiac rehab programs in Lancaster County.

 

For more information, call 544-3126.