DVIDS – News – Heart Health: BAMC Incorporates Lifestyle Medicine into Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, February 13, 2024 – Brooke Army Medical Center Department of Cardiology is adding lifestyle medicine to its cardiac rehabilitation program to improve patient outcomes after cardiac events. I incorporated it.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States.

“We know that 80 percent of chronic diseases are preventable, treatable, and even reversible with lifestyle modifications,” says Stacey Dramiga, director of the Lifestyle Medicine Program at BAMC and Human Performance. said Physician Assistant Angelia Grona, who leads the charge. center.

Heart patients who have experienced stents, surgery, or heart attacks participate in regular exercise programs, but we provide additional intensive rehabilitation with shared appointments and education sessions, she explains. did.

“The medical appointments we share are essentially to check on their health status while they are undergoing cardiac rehabilitation, and during visits with cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, any acute issues may impede recovery. It's about making sure they're not,” Grona said. “This will give patients the ability to ask questions, receive support from their cardiologists, and receive support from each other throughout their recovery.”

During this educational session, nutritionists, pharmacy representatives, cardiologists, exercise physiologists, clinical psychologists, and other heart experts will speak and answer questions.

“We focus on their medications, sleep, diet, stress, and the disease process. But what makes this different is that we focus on the pillars of lifestyle medicine: social connection, mindfulness, and the disease process.” , and we're also talking about blue zones (areas around the world where people live far beyond the average life expectancy of Americans),” Grona said.

Patients participate in cooking classes that focus on plant-based eating to improve health and comfort in the kitchen.
“We also do potlucks to practice plant-based understanding and social connection,” she explained.

“We not only focus on helping our patients recover from their heart problems, but we also focus on the long-term goal of lasting change through lifestyle modifications. “You'll have the tools to live longer, but not better overall health,” Grona said.
What is heart disease?

The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart disease. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease, which affects blood flow to the heart. Reduced blood flow can cause a heart attack.

“Heart health is all about the basics: eating a healthy diet, staying active, and avoiding nicotine in all forms,” ​​said Lt. Col. Kimberly Kenney, Ph.D., chief of cardiology at BAMC. Stated.

keep your heart healthy
To prevent heart disease, you can:

• eat healthy
• become active
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.
• Control cholesterol and blood pressure
• Consume alcohol only in moderation.
• Stress management

“There are some simple lifestyle changes people can make to maintain a healthy heart,” Grona says. “Try adding more movement into your life. Walking tends to be easiest. Park at the back of the parking lot and take the stairs. If you've eaten too much, take a 10-minute walk afterwards. Sho.”

Anyone can develop heart disease, but your risk is higher if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, being overweight or obese, not getting enough physical activity, or not eating a healthy diet. . diet.

Age and family history also affect your risk of heart disease.

“Heart disease begins in your teens and 20s when plaque builds up in your blood vessels, but it can take decades for symptoms to appear,” Grona says. “That's why it's important to stay active, avoid toxins (nicotine and alcohol), eat a healthy diet, get quality sleep, maintain a healthy weight, and get regular health checkups.”

The risk is high if:

• You are a woman over 55 years old
• You are a man over 45 years old
• Your father or sibling had heart disease before age 55
• Your mother or sister had heart disease before age 65

Possible symptoms

• Chest pain/pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Jaw/shoulder discomfort when exercising
• Palpitations
• Dizziness or fainting

“If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor, who will refer you to a cardiologist if you have concerns,” Grona said.

Note: The above information was taken from https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/health-conditions/heart-health/keep-your-heart-healthy.