Cardiac Wellness Program: Reduce Cardiac Risk
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women. Although genetics plays a role in the development of heart disease, lifestyle choices have been proven to significantly influence the health of your heart. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. This program is held at MGH West in Waltham, MA.
Next Group: Ongoing Enrollment
Cardiac Wellness Program: Reduce Cardiovascular Risk
The Cardiac Wellness Program will reduce cardiovascular risk and improve the quality of life among its participants.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women. Although genetics plays a role in the development of heart disease, lifestyle choices have been proven to significantly influence the health of your heart. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Do your risk factors include:
- Smoking?
- High cholesterol?
- High blood pressure?
- Diabetes?
Are you:
- Inactive?
- Overweight?
- Easily stressed by daily annoyances?
What is your history?
- Do you have angina (pain in your chest, arms, jaw, shoulder blades, unusual fatigue, shortness of breath)?
- Do you have palpitations or arrhythmias?
- Have you had a heart attack?
- Have you had an angioplasty/stent or open heart surgery?
If you answer "yes" to any of the above, you may currently have, or be at risk for, heart disease, and you could benefit from our cardiac wellness offerings:
- A Cardiac Risk Assessment that includes a 60-minute detailed history and physical examination to determine risk of heart disease.
- The Cardiac Wellness Program is a comprehensive lifestyle modification program that has documented success in reducing cardiovascular risk and improving quality of life among participants.
Over thirteen weekly three-hour sessions, we will help you:
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve blood sugar control
- Lose weight
- Increase exercise tolerance
- Decrease symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue
- Manage stress, decrease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and anger
Our Cardiac Wellness Program has features that distinguish it from other cardiac rehabilitation programs.
The The Cardiac rehabilitation program's features include:
- Weekly interaction with the Cardiac Wellness team comprised of clinical nurse specialists, dietitians and exercise specialists
- "One stop shopping" that gives you in every three hour session all the tools you'll need to improve your heart health, such as
- On-site supervised exercise
- Individual nutrition counseling
- A comprehensive stress management program, including relaxation response training
- A manual; Each participant receives either a copy of Mind Your Heart: A Mind/Body Approach to Stress Management, Exercise, and Nutrition for Heart Health or The HMS Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure, written by our staff. You will also receive two relaxations CDs for home use.
The Cardiac Wellness Program meets on Mondays from 9:00am - 12:00pm, Tuesdays from 12:00 - 3:00pm or 5:00 - 8:00pm and Thursdays from 10:00am - 1:00pm.
Ongoing support after completion of the Cardiac Wellness Program in the form of optional graduate programs offered two times per month to help you maintain heart healthy changes. These sessions are held on Monday afternoons, Wednesday mornings, and Wednesday evenings.
With a 13-week cardiac wellness program as well as maintenance and extended programs, we are sure to have a program that is right for you!
Click here to download a PDF of the Cardiac Wellness Program factsheet.
Angina Pectoris
Angina pectoris (or simply angina) is recurring chest pain or discomfort that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough blood and oxygen.
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are heart rhythm disorders that may originate in the atria (the receiving chambers of the heart) or the ventricles (the pumping chambers of the heart).
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia where the electrical signals in the atria (the two small chambers of the heart) are fired in a very fast and uncontrolled manner.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is any disease of the heart muscle in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood effectively.
Chest Pain / Heart Attack Symptoms
A heart attack occurs when one of more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or prolonged decrease in oxygen supply caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle.
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease occurs when cholesterol builds up within the walls of the heart’s arteries (coronary arteries), forming what is called plaque.
Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes may also be known by a variety of other names, including the following: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), juvenile diabetes, brittle diabetes, or sugar diabetes.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when one or more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or prolonged lack of oxygen caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle.
Heart Failure
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the needs of the body's other organs.
Heart Valve Diseases
The heart’s valves can have one of two malfunctions - regurgitation (when the valve does not completely close) or stenosis (a narrowing of the valve).
High Blood Pressure / Hypertension
Blood pressure, measured with a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope by a nurse or other health care provider, is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls.
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a condition that includes the presence of a cluster of risk factors specific for cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome significantly raises the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and/or stroke.
The following related clinical trials and research studies are currently seeking participants at Massachusetts General Hospital. Search for clinical trials and studies in another area of interest.
MGH goes red for women’s heart health
MGH Hotline 2.18.11 Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the MGH Heart Center and Corrigan Women’s Heart Health Program brought attention to hearts everywhere by celebrating “Go Red for Women” month with a series of events and activities to raise awareness of heart disease in women.
In a Heartbeat
The team-based approach of the Institute for Heart, Vascular and Stroke Care ensures physicians approach complex situations from all angles, providing cohesive multidisciplinary care.
