THE BEATFEBRUARY 2015 West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center Newsletter

FEBRUARYIS NATIONAL HEARTMONTH

redwear Friday, February 6th

National Heart Month

Lead By Example!Remember to wear something Red onFriday, Feb. 6 — National Wear Red Day!

Heart disease is the leading cause ofdeath for men and women, but whenawareness increases, cases of heartdisease decrease.

Our goal is for 100% participation. Join Us!

life is why.Everyone has a reason to live a healthier, longer life.

What is yours?

“Get to know your heart and know that heart disease does not have to slow you down.” - Anita Kay Archer

National Wear Red DayHeart disease is the number one killer! Join others in our community as we “Go Red” to raise awareness about the disease and ways to prevent it.

Even our newest patients are sporting red. Every Heart Matters at the West Tennessee. Women’s Center.

Free Blood Pressures and HeartAware Risk AssessmentJackson-Madison County General Hospital Front Entrance11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Sport your red while you get a free blood pressure reading and take a HeartAware screening to determine your risk forheart disease.

Blood Pressure Talkby Sara Keen, RNFree Blood Pressures and HeartAware Risk AssessmentLIFT Education Suite6:00 p.m.

Blood Pressure Talkby Sara Keen, RN 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Lower Level Room 2Jackson-Madison County General Hospital

Come learn about high blood pressure, its causes, the damaging effects it has on the body and the things we can do to help lower high blood pressure.

Free Blood Pressures and HeartAware Risk AssessmentLynwood Kroger11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Shop for heart healthy foods then stop by for your free blood pressure reading and HeartAware screening to determine your risk for heart disease.

Boots & BlingWest TN Fairgrounds800 S. Highland Ave.7:00 p.m.$10 - To register, call: 731-512-1548

Ladies, don’t miss this fun-filled night of dancing and the opportunity to learn about preventing the number one killer of women.

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Community WalkLIFT Wellness Center11:45 a.m.

Join us for a FREE, FUN Group walk through Downtown Jackson – Lift Membership not required. 1.5 mile Trek.

Free Blood Pressures and HeartAware Risk AssessmentFood Giant1727 South Highland11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Take a break from shopping to get a free blood pressure reading and take a HeartAware screening to determine your risk for heart disease.

Let’s Talk Cholesterolby Nicole Hancock, RD, LDN6:00 p.m.LIFT Education Suite

Let’s Talk Cholesterolby Nicole Hancock, RD, LDN 11:30 a.m. Lower Level Room 2Jackson-Madison County General Hospital

Heart-Healthy Cooking DemonstrationLIFT Wellness Center5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Celebrate long life and good eating. Take a HealthAware risk assessment test, hear from Dr. John Baker, Interventional Cardiologist - Jackson Clinic, and watch a cooking demonstration to learn how to make deliciousheart-healthy meals.

Free Blood Pressures and HeartAware Risk AssessmentJackson-Madison County General Hospital Cafeteria11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Smoking Cessation ProgramJackson-Madison County General HospitalJ Walter Barnes Auditorium5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.$50 - To register, call: 731-425-6956

Achieve your goal of tobacco cessation with a course ledby a registered nurse, pharmacist, dietician and an exercise specialist.

SAVE THE DATE!American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Event

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life is why. Everyone has a reason to live a healthier, longer life.What is yours?

West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center Brings Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program to Jackson

With the new West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program right here in Jackson, those dealing with respiratory issues can find relief and support without traveling far.

West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital is committed to helping residents in our area fight Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD). Studies show that pulmonary rehab can improve the quality of life for those dealing with symptoms of COPD and other respiratory conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nine percent of Tennessee residents have been told by their health professional they have COPD, but many experts conclude that more may suffer from COPD while lacking awareness of their condition. “Providing pulmonary rehab for all West TN is central to our focus of improving the health and lives in our community. Now people can get the information about their lung disease and the rehab they need to live fuller, more active lives right here in Jackson,” states Christie Ward, RRT.

A simple breathing test called a spirometry is the current standard for COPD diagnosis. Although there is no cure for COPD, treatments exist that can lessen the impact the condition has on the lives of those affected. In addition to daily medications, pulmonary rehab is used to manage symptoms. Those with COPD experience more doctor visits and hospitalizations and pulmonary rehab can help make those visits less frequent.

The Pulmonary Rehab Program at the West Tennessee Heart & Vascular Center is a medically supervised program involving education and exercises for individuals with chronic respiratory diseases. A pulmonary rehabilitation helps patients with lung diseases improve their overall physical, mental and life functions. The goals of the pulmonary rehabilitation program are to help improve functional capacity and help patients understand and manage the disease.

“I am grateful that the Pulmonary Rehab program is here, otherwise I would be traveling to Memphis or Nashville. I have benefitted so much from this program. I have gained so much stamina and I am now able to go upstairs which I could not do a year ago. I appreciate the team of therapists and nurses that work with me.” WTHVC current patient, Ada Allen.

The central component of the program is a safe, supervised exercise tailored for each individual and monitored by a team of professionals trained in chronic lung diseases. Our focus is to

combine exercise and education to help you manage your disease and increase your quality of life. Probably the most important thing that you can learn from pulmonary rehabilitation is a more efficient breathing technique. Educational and instructional components of the program include identifying the signs of fatigue, conserving energy techniques and proper breathing methods. The benefits of pulmonary rehab can be life-changing for those living with the disease and their families.

In addition to COPD, patients may take advantage of pulmonary rehabilitation if you have any of the following medical conditions:

EmphysemaChronic BronchitisBronchiectasisAsthmaPulmonary FibrosisLung Surgery Environmental or Occupational Lung Diseases

Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Success • Decreased Symptoms • Improved Quality of Life • Increased Exercise Tolerance • More Independent Living Possibilities • Better Understanding of Lung Diseases • Fewer Hospitalizations • Reduced Emergency Care Needs • Decrease in Doctor’s Visits

Medicare and most major insurance companies offer pulmonary

rehabilitation benefits.

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a lung condition usually caused by smoking. It affects more than 24 million people in the U.S., or 6 percent of the population (COPD Foundation, 2013). It is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. (American Lung Association, 2013). National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Morbidity & Mortality: 2012 Chart Book on Cardiovascular, Lung, and Blood Diseases. February 2012. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/docs/cht-book.htm.

Christie Ward has over 25 years of experience in respiratory care. She has dedicated her life to helping people breathe better. As part of West TN Heart & Vascular Center she is a huge resource for all of the heart and vascular team. Christie stepped up in 2014 when the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at West TN Heart & Vascular Center began serving West TN COPD patients, knowing how important it was to bring a rehab program to the area so that COPD patients would not have to drive to Nashville or Memphis.

As someone with asthma herself, she understands how good a deep breath can feel. She takes this firsthand knowledge, her education, and years of experience to be the ultimate advocate for respiratory care. “I am certain my career is truly what I am meant to do,” states Christie about her role in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program with West TN Heart & Vascular Center. She believes many people can benefit from the individualized programs designed to help each patient improve their quality of life.

Christie’s office is located at the Cardiac Rehab Department in West TN Heart & Vascular Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and she encourages people with COPD and any respiratory health concerns to visit his or her health care professional for a referral to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.

When she is not helping patients with her expertise in respiratory care, Christie tackles the role of wife and mother of her four active children.

731-541-4965christie.ward@wth.org

Christie Ward, RRTPulmonary Rehab Program Coordinator

Meet a Member of the WTHVC Team

One Phone Number For Complete Cardiovascular Care

731.541.CARE( 2 2 7 3 )

Cardiology Outreach Clinincs in Paris, Dyersburg, and Lexington