Cardio rehab, heart clinic making a difference

Health P.E.I.’s cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program is close to Jean-Louis Arsenault’s heart.

Approximately 190 patients like Arsenault have completed cardiac (heart) or pulmonary (lung) rehab since the program began in January 2017. Already offered in Charlottetown and Summerside, the services will expand to Montague this April.

“This program, and more importantly the people here, have given me my life back,” said Arsenault, 53, who completed the program having a cardiac arrest. “I thank them from the bottom of my healing heart.”

During Heart Health Month, February is a reminder to care for the heart and to learn what services are in place to support heart health.

About 1,200 people each year in Prince Edward Island experience an acute cardiac event, and more than 8,000 live with chronic lung disease. Islanders should talk to their primary care provider about their risk factors for heart or lung disease and how they can prevent experiencing health problems in the future.

“We are seeing tremendously positive and life-changing results in our clients over the course of their rehabilitation,” said Tanya Matthews, registered nurse and provincial cardio-pulmonary rehab program lead. “While we are proud to offer rehabilitation programs that help Islanders with heart and lung disease regain a better quality of life and decrease the likelihood of a future event, primary prevention is still very important.”

Preliminary program results – based on clinical outcomes of participants – have been overwhelmingly positive:

- 92 per cent of cardiac and pulmonary rehab patients walk farther on their six-minute walk test by the end of rehab and most rate their breathing to be less laboured during exercise as well.

- 79 per cent of cardiac rehab patients experienced a reduction in waist circumference, an important measure when assessing risk for cardiovascular disease.

- 74 per cent of cardiac rehab patients had a blood pressure within target after completing the program, a 25 per cent improvement from pre-cardiac rehab numbers.

- 56 per cent of cardiac rehab patients reported reduced rating of anxiety and depression after participating in the program

- 43 per cent of pulmonary rehab patients reported a lower score on the anxiety and depression screening tool.

- 70 per cent of pulmonary rehab patients had a blood pressure within target after completing the program, a 25 percent improvement from pre-pulmonary rehab numbers.

“The cardiopulmonary rehab program is an example of a life-changing service that is important to Islanders and their families, especially to those who have experienced a serious health event like a sudden cardiac arrest,” said Health and Wellness Minister Robert Mitchell.

“Expanding this program to Kings County ensures even more Islanders are receiving the care they need, when they need it, closer to home.”