Mount Auburn Healthcare Connection

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For five consecutive years, Mount Auburn Hospital has been one of only two hospitals in Massachusetts to receive the HealthGrades Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award. To round out its superior clinical quality care, the hospital opened a cardiac rehabilitation program in January, which combines physical strengthening with education.

“The initiation of the outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program complements our acute care and in-hospital cardiovascular care programs. It is a huge benefit to patients that cardiac specialists are able to see them not only through their hospital stay, but also to now play a more active role in their recovery once they leave the hospital,” says Kyle Pond, M.D., Medical Director of Mount Auburn Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Patients with the following cardiac issues are eligible for the program:

• A heart attack in the last 12 months
• Current stable angina (chest pain)
• Prior angioplasty or stent
• Coronary bypass surgery
• Heart valve repair or replacement
• Heart or heart-lung transplant

The program combines individually paced and group-centered activities. The cardiac rehabilitation center’s services include:

• A Medical Evaluation: All patients undergo a thorough review of their health in order to receive treatment that is tailored to their specific needs. The exam determines the appropriate level of physical activity, as well as the educational classes that would benefit each patient.
• Monitored physical exercise: For optimizing fitness during recovery, patients have access to a wide variety of exercise methods, including weight lifting, cycling, treadmill walking and elliptical training. Each patient’s exercise regimen is structured specifically toward his or her needs and goals. In addition, they work closely with specialists and wear heart monitors while they exercise to ensure safe levels of activity.
• Lifestyle Coaching: The educational services provided in the program aim to help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle and improve their quality of life. Topics may include exercise, dietary counseling stress reduction and medication compliance.
• Support: The experts at Mount Auburn Hospital can provide counseling and support for depression, anxiety and other complications that might develop after a cardiac event. They may also refer patients to psychiatric care if necessary.

Through these services and one-on-one guidance from Mount Auburn Hospital specialists, patients are able to achieve safe and measurable improvements to their health. In addition, Dr. Pond says patients develop camaraderie with their peers in the program. “There is a shared experience benefit which is noticed by everyone who comes through the program,” he says. “Rehabilitating with people who have been through a similar experience is a valuable benefit of the program.”

Find a primary care physician that can help you keep your heart strong. Call 617-499-5094.