Western Maine Health
Treadmills

Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Vital Connections) program provides cardiac rehabilitation to people who have a history of angina or who have had a heart attack, coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty or heart valve surgery. It also provides pulmonary rehabilitation to people who suffer from chronic lung disease. Vital Connections is an exercise and education program offering rehabilitation in a supervised and monitored environment. Classes are offered throughout the year and prospective patients must be referred to the program by their physicians. For more information, call 207-744-6380.

Our Programs

The Vital Connections Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is a supervised exercise and education program which provides a monitored environment in which patients can safely learn how to return to their normal level of activity and improve their quality of life. This program is dedicated to improving your quality of life.

Who Benefits from the program?
Vital Connections is for patients who have had a heart attack, coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty, valve repair/replacement surgery, congestive heart failure or stable angina.

Depending on individual needs, the program can range from four to twelve weeks with three sessions per week. Patients meet with a registered nurse who specializes in coronary care, a registered respiratory therapist, an exercise specialist, a registered dietitian and a registered pharmacist. Patient exercise takes place in small groups, with careful electronic cardiac monitoring. Patients progress at their own pace to improve their cardiovascular fitness. Our highly trained staff will also teach patients about how to lead healthier lifestyles, introduce them to risk factors for coronary disease and how to reduce them, and educate them on smoking cessation, cholesterol/lipids and relaxation techniques. All sessions meet in the Cardiopulmonary Gym in the William L. Medd, MD Health Center. Sessions are held year-round.

How to sign up?
You must be referred to Vital Connections by your physician. For more information please call 207-744-6380.

The Vital Connections Pulmonary rehabilitation program is a supervised exercise and education program which provides a monitored environment in which patients can safely learn how to return to their normal level of activity and improve their quality of life.

Who Benefits from the program?
Vital Connections is for patients who have obstructive or restrictive lung disease which may include COPD, chronic bronchitis and various lung diseases.

The program generally lasts from eight to twelve weeks with three sessions per week. Depending on individual needs. Patients meet with a registered respiratory therapist, an exercise specialist, a registered dietitian, a registered nurse, a registered occupational therapist and a registered pharmacist. Patient exercise takes place in small groups, with careful monitoring. Patients progress at their own pace to improve their cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness. Our highly trained staff will also teach patients about how to lead healthier lifestyles, introduce them to breathing exercises, anatomy and physiology of lung disease, diet, energy conservation and relaxation techniques. All sessions meet in the Cardiopulmonary Gym in the William L. Medd, MD Health Center. Classes are held year-round.

How to sign up?
You must be referred to Vital Connections by your physician. For more information please call 207-744-6380.

The Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program is an adult fitness program designed to help patients with heart disease return to a healthy and enjoyable life. The program involves a structured regiment of exercise and fitness development.

Who Benefits from the Program?
The program is geared towards those patients who have completed Phase II and wish to continue in a supervised exercise program.  Cardiac Rehabilitation is for patients who have had a heart attack, coronary bypass, angioplasty, patients suffering from angina, congestive heart failure, patients who have had a heart valve repair or replacement surgery, or patients with conditions such as high blood pressure, or elevated cholesterol. Pulmonary Rehab is for patients who have obstructive/restrictive lung disease which may include COPD, chronic bronchitis, and various lung diseases.

All sessions meet in the Cardiopulmonary Gym in the William L. Medd, MD Health Center. Sessions are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday on an ongoing basis. The exercise sessions are specifically designed to improve the cardio-respiratory functions of the participants. Patients who have successfully completed Phase II and those patients whose medical status does not warrant continuous EKG monitoring are eligible.

The program individually prescribes and tailors the Phase III exercise program for each participant. Classes include a series of aerobic activities (treadmills, bikes, elliptical machines, arm ergometers, recumbent bike and a few free weights). The patient takes and records their blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturations during the class. Patients learn to measure their own pulse rates so they can monitor themselves following activity. An Advanced Cardiac Life Support trained health professional monitors and leads each exercise session

How to sign up?
You must be referred to Vital Connections by your physician. For more information please call 207-744-6380.

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