For more than 100 years, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States. From heart attacks to aneurysms, heart disease continues to take a toll on patients and healthcare professionals every year.

On the positive side, great advances have been made in the past few decades, allowing many patients to recover from heart disease and live healthy lives. Advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques, combined with safe and effective pharmacological treatments, bring hope and healing to thousands of patients each year.

Despite progress, the road to recovery is a long and arduous journey fraught with fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Many patients experience anxiety and depression as they try to resume normal life after treatment for their illness. Often they feel alone in the process.

Fortunately, patients in the Hendersonville area don’t have to walk the road to recovery on their own. Instead, you can take advantage of TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center’s cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehabilitation) program. Since its inception in February 2019, Cardiac Rehabilitation has brought hope and recovery to patients across the Midstate.

“Cardiac Rehabilitation is a supervised program for heart patients that includes 36 exercise sessions, heart health education, and support from experts and colleagues,” said Carla Tooley, RN, Cardiac Care Coordinator. “Since 2019, we have assisted over 700 patients, with over 300 of them completing 30 or more sessions. The national average for cardiac rehabilitation program completion rates is less than 30%, but our hospital , more than 44% of patients graduate.”

In addition to Tooley, the TriStar Hendersonville Cardiac Rehabilitation team includes registered nurses Leanna Edwards, Ashley Erickson, and Anna Bush. The group operates under TriStar Hendersonville’s Cardiac Services Division and is overseen by Tanner Hurst, Director of Cardiovascular Services.

Rehabilitation has many therapeutic benefits, including reducing the risk of subsequent cardiac events, lowering cardiac risk factors, providing a structured support system, and providing patients with the opportunity to take control of their health. It also helps strengthen social bonds, boost morale, and motivate patients to continue with their recovery routine.

“Cardiac rehabilitation is critical to the successful recovery of heart disease patients,” Tooley said. “We are currently working with 48 active patients, but we have a two- to three-week waiting list for other patients who would like to join our program.”

Since 2020, TriStar Hendersonville has hosted an annual cardiac rehabilitation reunion for former patients. Popular social gatherings provide an opportunity for patients and caregivers to reunite, celebrate past successes, and look forward to future progress. This year’s fifth reunion was held on February 27th at the Medical Center.

“Each year, we look forward to reuniting with our patients to check on their progress and rekindle friendships,” Tooley said. “During the rehabilitation process, we have the privilege of spending a lot of time with our patients. We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and medical victories together. By the end of the rehabilitation program, I Our patients are not just patients, they have become family.”

At this year’s reunion, several patients had the opportunity to tell personal stories of their illness and recovery, and to express their gratitude to the caregivers who saved their lives. One such former patient was Michelle Jacobsen, a 2021 program graduate. Jacobson talked about how regular doctor visits discovered hidden heart problems, such as aneurysms and holes in the heart. Without treatment, both of these problems pose serious health risks, including the possibility of death.

“When the doctors discovered my heart problem, I was immediately scheduled for major surgery to repair the problem,” Jacobsen said. “The surgery was a success, but for quite some time afterwards I was very scared, depressed and anxious about the future. Thanks to the wonderful cardiac rehabilitation specialists, I was able to get back on track and healthy again. I was able to start my journey and I don’t know where I would have been without the support and encouragement of Carla and her team.”