How do you change health habits among a population with some of the highest heart disease rates in the world? Tackling heart disease in Kentucky - an epicenter of heart health problems - the University of Kentucky Gill Heart Institute Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is helping high-risk patients make radical, lasting changes to improve their heart health.
"People have a notion of heart disease as something they're born with, but for most people that isn't true. Genetics play a role, but lifestyle accounts for the majority of heart disease risk," says Dr. Alison Bailey, Gill Heart Institute cardiologist and director of the cardiac rehab program.
Since the Gill Heart Institute Cardiac Rehabilitation Program opened in February 2009, dozens of patients have undergone total lifestyle makeovers with the help of heart health professionals. Many patients enter rehabilitation after a dramatic event, such as a heart attack. Others self-refer to the program, knowing they are at risk and hoping to avoid a cardiac emergency. Because of its association with the Gill Heart Institute and UK Chandler Hospital, the Gill rehab program sees a variety of patients - from young transplant recipients to middle-aged people with more typical heart disease risk factors.
All cardiac rehabilitation patients benefit from the comprehensive approach of a dedicated team of cardiologists, dietitians, exercise physiologists and health educators, who are determined to reduce the premature mortality risk of every participant. Exercise plans are individualized to fit the needs of each patient - taking into account their medical needs and existing levels of fitness. Dietitians work with patients to create personalized nutrition plans. Every participant benefits from educational programs targeting risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes, along with smoking cessation programs. The rehabilitation facility has exercise equipment and qualified trainers on-site, so it's one-stop shopping for patients.
According to Bailey, Medicare and private insurance generally cover 36 sessions of cardiac rehabilitation for a patient who has had a myocardial infarction, bypass surgery, valve replacement surgery, heart transplant, stent placement or angioplasty, or who suffers from stable angina. For patients who complete the initial sessions, the Gill Heart Institute Rehabilitation Program offers a monthly maintenance program at the rate of $55 a month - about the price of a gym membership. However, unlike a regular gym, the Gill program offers participants the chance to improve their health under the supervision of leading cardiologists and experts trained to work with high-risk patients.