Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 15

Mid-Illinois Newspapers Monday, February 10, 1997 Abby C3 Mini Page C4 Entertainment C5 u- Uj ml 1 1 v. I '1 cL3 i I SBLHC program helps those with health problems to live heart smart through diet, exercise SARAH BUSH LINCOLN BySueSmyser Lifestyle Writer '( rank McGarry says I his surgeon credits (V. the cardiac rehabili--t tation program at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center with saving his life. "He said if it hadn't been for METS, rd have been dead a long time ago," McGarry said. HEALTH CENTER The Charleston man has sur Program designed to help patients fully recover vived several potentially life-threatening illnesses and keeps bouncing back.

He has an upbeat Photos by Doug Lawhead Participants in the program work out on three different exercise machines for set periods of time. Pictured at the top is Frank McGarry keeping fit on an exercise bike (left) and on a treadmill (right). Above, EIU intern Melanie Klitzsch monitors McGarry's blood pressure. Below, Paula Enstrom uses a paddle monitor on McGarry. From Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center METS Cardiac rehabilitation programs available through the Monitored Exercise Testing Services department at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center are designed to help patients achieve full recovery after a heart attack, angioplasty or heart surgery.

Through a gradual, individualized rehabilitation program, patients will learn to: strengthen their hearts, overcome their fears of exertion, eat in a heart-healthy way, deal with stress, reduce other heart risks, such as smoking, maintain healthy habits for life. By gradually building their strength and learning what to expect, patients feel more confident about returning to work or play while leading a healthy lifestyle. Phase I METS gets patients up and moving while they are still in the hospital. The cardiac rehabilitation staff and nurses in the critical care and monitored care units start them on the way to recovery with low-level exercise and lots of education. Phase II METS is designed for people who have had a heart attack or heart surgery, balloon angioplasty or other heart-related problems in recent months.

It is an EKG-monitored, progressive, exercise and education program, planned around patients' needs and limitation. Through exercise, education and encouragement, patients not only feel good again, but in many cases feel even better than they did before. Phase II METS is designed for people who have had a heart attack, heart surgery or angioplasty more than six months ago. It can also benefit people who are diabetic, hypertensive, obese or suffering from other medical problems. Phase II METS is a supervised exercise program for people who need special assistance in developing or maintaining a good fitness level but do not need EKG monitoring.

Patients are encouraged to attend the Coronary Club support group, which meets on the first Thursday of the month April through December. SBLHC also has a pulmonary rehabilitation program and Better Breathers Support Group. There is no cost for Phase I rehabilitation. Phase II cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation is covered by Medicare and most other insurance companies. Though Phase 111 costs are usually not covered by insurance, the program is very affordable.

Those vho can document an inability to pay may apply for a fee reduction or waiver. 'and positive attitude. is celebrating Na-itional Heart Month during February and now through Sunday as Cardiac Rehabilitation Week by increasing public awareness jof not only the risk factors for jheart disease, but simple steps ipeople can take to reduce their jrisks. I Mingling with a large group of and women in the program, McGarry "walks" on the tread-imill and bikes on the stationary jbicycle. As they use the equipment, they carry on a lively conversation and do so without breathing hard.

The group banters with each other and sometimes target one of the health care professionals. joke about everything from who is the oldest to who is carrying the most body fat. Participants choose from stationary bicycles, troadmills and Towing machines, using them for 'a set time limit, then going to another. McGarry, who will be 74 in 'April, has undergone at least six surgeries since 1982 and jwas one of the first cardiac pa- tients who joined the monitored jexercise testing services. "1 started the METS program in 1983 and was the first one in whole program," he said.

McGarry is soft-spoken and still working to improve his speech, which was impaired af-jter a stroke in 1994. At first he was unable to speak and his jright hand was knotted in a fist, Moving the arm vigorously, he jdemonstrated how much use he now has, although he continues jto write with his left hand. 1 "It was hard to do, because I jam normally right-handed," he He has worked his way the monitored classes land now is in maintenance class. At the end of phase II in moni-'tored exercise, the class holds a graduation ceremony for those are advancing to the next Two graduation robes lone red, one black -r- complete Iwith caps hang near the nurses station ready for the next gradu- ll filial I I s.u-. ates.

Paula Enstrom, cardiac pulmonary rehabilitation nurse, said patients who are at high risk go through a period of being monitored on the exercise equipment before moving on to Phase D.METS. "Their spouses can come to the class also as long as they pass a stress test and have their doctor's OK," she said. This class goes forever. If they don't have a structured program, they can fall by the wayside. They work on four pieces of equipment for eight minutes on each piece after they warm up.

We use a paddle monitor to check their heart rate and rhythm before they start and at the end," she said. According to a news release, the staff of the METS depart- ment coordinates all cardiac re-r habitation programs at SBLHC. Throughout the month, METS staff will be speaking to various organizations about heart health and also hosting a contest for cardiac rehab patients to share their "heart smarts." In addition to the heart attack and stroke, McGarry had colon cancer in 1990 and recently had a defibrillator placed in his chest to regulate his heartbeat. factors for heart disease by following five simple steps. Number one: quit smoking.

Number two: eat a diet that is low in fat and includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Three: keep your blood pressure under control. Four; exercise regularly. And finally, know the symptoms of angina and heart attacks," Enstrom said. METS is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

For more information call 258-2175 or 348-2175. To schedule a free speaker on the topic, call 258-2400 or 348-2400. about exercise guidelines and to pass along new information that comes along, to tell them how arteries clog up and about stress management," Enstrom said. In an article in the Health Styles magazine published by SBLHC, McGarry said, "It's (METS) the best thing for you. Not only do they keep you in shape, but they keep you on your toes by teaching you about foods and reading labels." By 1995, McGarry said he had dropped 40 pounds with the help ofthe METS staff.

"People can reduce their risk He said he had surgery on both carotid arteries and surgery to repair an aneurysm in his aorta. Six days after the surgery on the aneurysm, he had the stroke. McGarry and wife, Mary Lou, are parents of Mrs. Clyde (Cheri) Sims, and they have one grandson. He was the top money raiser last fall for the American Heart Association's Walk for Heart fund-raiser.

"I got five people to give $100 each and then raised the other $500. 1 just walked up to someone I knew and said, need a hundred And after they asked what for, they just dug in their pocket and handed it over." Enstrom said about two or three times a month the METS program gives an educational class. "It's a reminder to the class.