SGMC Now Offers Phase III Cardiac Rehab at the YMCA

South Georgia Medical Center, in cooperation with the Valdosta YMCA, will begin offering Phase III Cardiac Rehab at the YMCA on Gornto Road from 8 am to 12 noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning July 22.Phase III Cardiac Rehab is a physician directed, nurse-supervised program of independent exercise for long-term management of heart disease. The program promotes cardio-pulmonary fitness, muscular strength and physical endurance. SGMC staff certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support will supervise patients during defined exercise times.“By merging our independent exercise program with the Y, we bring together the best of both worlds,” said SGMC Administrator Randy Sauls. “The Y offers a larger exercise facility with more equipment and SGMC brings the clinical expertise to supervise these heart patients while they exercise.Currently, SGMC has approximately 40 independent exercisers who come to Cardiac Rehab to exercise three mornings each week. The Cardiac Rehab facility, which is located in the SGMC Doctors Building, will continue to be used for Phase II cardiac rehab patients only.“This partnership gives people recovering from cardiovascular disease a convenient location to continue their recovery while having the reassurance of a cardiac-trained registered nurse in the building,” said Laura Fiveash, RN, MBA, director of Cardiovascular Services. Enrollees in the Phase III Exercise Program will need their doctor’s permission to participate. Phase III enrollees will be encouraged to use other Y services, such as the pools, racket ball courts and other fitness areas.Heart health is too important to take for granted. For more information, contact SGMC’s Cardiac Rehab at 229-245-6211.