Care to Take to Heart

After undergoing open-heart surgery in 2007, Warren Van Buren, 70, a retired police officer from Dumont, enrolled in the cardiac rehabilitation program at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

Warren, who also suffered a stroke in 1977 that left him legally blind in one eye, was pleased with the individualized therapy he received at Englewood Hospital.

“The cardiac rehab staff took into consideration my heart health concerns and were mindful of my vision problems,” Warren says.“They worked one-on-one with me to ensure I became familiar and comfortable with the exercise equipment.”

Like most patients in the cardiac rehabilitation program, Warren attended one-hour exercise sessions three times each week during a 12-week period.

“Our multidisciplinary team of specialists, including registered nurses and an exercise physiologist, work together to provide customized exercise training for cardiac rehab patients,” says Debbie Tamburro, RN, BSN, Cardiac Rehab Care Manager at Englewood Hospital. “During exercise, nurses monitor each patient’s heart rate and blood pressure responses to protect his or her safety.”

While exercise is an essential component of cardiac rehab, other healthy lifestyle changes are just as important. Through the program, patients have access to a dietitian who can help program participants plan heart-healthy meals. A diabetes educator also is available to provide vital information about diet and insulin schedules.

“We take a comprehensive approach to cardiac rehab that extends beyond the walls of our facility” says Karen Wilk, PT, DPT, Director of Rehabilitation Medicine at Englewood Hospital.

“Because knowledge is the key to future success, we provide our patients with educational materials, including information about heart attack risk factors and the importance of eating right, to help them attain a heart-healthy lifestyle.”

Before cardiac rehab, Warren had never really exercised other than walking. Today, Warren feels better than he has in years. He continues to keep his heart strong by participating in Englewood Hospital’s cardiac maintenance program. This optional exercise program provides a comfortable and familiar setting for regular exercise.

“I have 11 grandchildren who I want to see grow up,” Warren says. “Thanks to Englewood Hospital, I have my energy and my life back to be able to do just that.”

Your Exercise Team: Healing your heart following a cardiac event or surgery can seem like an uphill battle, which makes it essential to seek help from cardiac rehabilitation therapists.

“After an initial, comprehensive assessment, our staff works individually with each patient to customize an exercise routine that best meets his or her particular needs,” says Peter Toto, exercise physiologist at
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “Patients perform cardiovascular activities and also do light weight training. Our trained professionals are there to guide them every step of the way.”

Members of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department (pictured left to right) Anthony Avecilla, Linda Bernard, Debbie Tamburro, Karen Wilk, Joan Giampavolo, and Peter Toto, surround patient
Warren Van Buren, center, and his grandson.