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Harlingen -- A Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen recently became the first in the Valley to receive national certification from the American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the national governing body for cardiac rehab programs.
The 12-week program helps Valley heart patients on the road back to health through monitored exercise and education on changes to diet and lifestyle.
“We are are the only certified Cardiac Rehab south of Corpus Christi,” said Parker MacDonald, RN, CCRN, Manager for Intensive Care & Invasive Cardiology at Valley Baptist-Harlingen.
One recent patient, Aaron Donez, age 37, of Harlingen, said he is very grateful for the program, which he credits with helping making his heart stronger as he recovers from triple bypass surgery.
“I’m doing great and am going to keep following the advice they gave me at the hospital,” Mr. Donez said. “It’s a big difference now in the way I feel ... the way I do everything is totally different now.”
For example, Mr. Donez said now he no longer eats fried foods or the skin on chicken -- and he has also cut down on beef and salt in his diet. He has lost 40 pounds since his surgery.
Mr. Donez said it really helps that the Valley Baptist nurses and staff take time to explain things and answer his questions. “They are great; they really care about all of their patients,” he said.
Valerie Arizmendi, RN, one of the Cardiac Rehab nurses at Valley Baptist, said Mr. Donez was able to increase his endurance by using a treadmill and “Nu-Step” seated exercise machine, while also reducing his risk factors such as cholesterol and blood pressure.
“It is very rewarding to see patients such as Aaron overcome their challenges and leave here doing much better -- some walking several miles a day,” Ms. Arizmendi said. “We are very proud of our program.”
Other members of Valley Baptist’s Cardiac Rehab team include Daniel Lozano, RN; Joann Garcia, RN; and Mary Lucio, CCST. For more information, contact your physician and visit www.ValleyBaptist.net.
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