Bryan and Shawn with their dog Lexi.

Virtual Cardiac Rehab

 

My goal as magistrate is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of district 2 and ultimately all Pendleton County citizens.  I will be sharing some of the concerns of the citizens in our county, and I will attempt to generate realistic solutions to these concerns. 

A citizen of Pendleton County had three vessel open heart surgery and was offered cardiac rehabilitation.  However, this intervention is only offered in person at one of three locations in northern Kentucky (Edgewood, Ft. Thomas, and Grant County).

Background:

Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program designed to improve your cardiovascular health.  To qualify for cardiac rehab, patients often have had a heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty, or open-heart surgery.  Having a heart transplant or a LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) implanted could also potentially qualify a person for cardiac rehab as well.  As a patient in this program, you often partner with doctors, nurses, pharmacists as well as your family and friends to take charge of the choices, lifestyle, and habits that affect your heart.  Cardiac rehab is generally offered three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). You are supervised on a cardiac monitor during these exercise sessions, and once weekly you receive education on heart healthy living (diet/nutritional counseling, weight management, medications, stress management, hands-only CPR, etc.).  Family members are encouraged to attend sessions with the patient. The citizens of Pendleton County have been drastically underserved because of the challenge of traveling to get to cardiac rehab plus timing of work prevents participation in this critical program.  Now, the cost of gas is going to exacerbate this situation even more.  Why is it important to participate in cardiac rehab?  Cardiac rehab lowers the risk of death and health complications for patients who have had a cardiac event or procedure and boosts their chances of returning to an active lifestyle.  More importantly, it reduces hospital readmissions for cardiac patients.

Possible Solution:

In the summer, I work as a cardiac rehab nurse.  We saw a drastic drop in patients participating in cardiac rehab the last few years due to the covid-19 pandemic.  In some parts of the country, home and telehealth-based interventions are being used as alternatives to the traditional center-based rehab programs.  I would love to see a hybrid program being offered to the citizens of our county.   The initial visits could be done in person, then once the patient feels comfortable the sessions could be done virtually using an app on the phone.   The patients could occasionally make an in person visit to hold them accountable.  I have been speaking to representatives from St. Elizabeth Healthcare regarding this possibility.  It would be a costly initiative for them to take on.  However, at a minimum the PC citizens affected by heart disease should have educational sessions offered over zoom and a support group of other individuals going through similar circumstances.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at smnordheim@aol.com or call my home at 859-472-2799.  This proposal is just one possibility to improve the lives and health of PC citizens. 

With PC Pride,

Shawn Mills Nordheim

Candidate for Magistrate District 2