Cardiac rehabilitation is a customized program of exercise and education. The goals of cardiac rehabilitation are to help you lower the risk of a recurrent cardiac event or to reduce your risk of future heart problems. All those add up to a better quality of life.
Chatham Hospital’s program offers regular training sessions that are supervised by Debbie Scotten, a registered nurse with training as an exercise physiologist. She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Mauricio Cohen, a UNC Board-certified cardiologist, is the medical director of the program.
This program is designed to be an extension of your primary physician’s care. Your physician will refer you to this program. Your training program will be individualized based on your specific health situation and goals. During your first visit the nurse will do a physical assessment, a nutritional screening, a psychological screening and a fitness assessment. She will devise an exercise program specifically for you that will be reviewed by Dr. Cohen.
Classes are held three times a week. The cardiac nurse will perform a physical screening before each exercise class. She will supervise your exercise classes and notify your primary care physician of any abnormal findings. She will also spend time educating both you and your family about safe exercise techniques. Additionally, there are monthly group nutrition classes. Individual nutrition therapy is also available. A progress report will be sent regularly to your referring physician.
Please call 919-663-0123 for more information.
