Heart Safe news: Our weekly update on what’s happening in the world of heart safety and noninvasive cardiology

Cardiac rehabilitation: Women less likely to continue to exercise post-rehab
A new cardiac rehabilitation study reports that female heart patients are less likely than male patients to continue exercising once their cardiac rehab program is over.

Exercising on a Quinton treadmill during cardiac rehabilitation

The research, conducted by the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve, followed 248 patients who completed traditional cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack, bypass surgery, or angioplasty. One year after the rehabilitation program, 37 percent of the patients were still exercising at least three times a week. The study found that men 60 years old and younger were the most likely to sustain healthy exercise patterns, and women of all age groups were least likely.

Mary Dolansky, assistant professor of nursing at Case Western Reserve and the lead investigator on the study, speculated that female heart patients may pay less attention to exercise because they “traditionally put caretaking of their families before their health needs.” She said that healthcare professionals need to find out why people stop the exercise that is vital to maintaining heart health.

Investment in defibrillators pays off at ConAgra

The Omaha World-Herald reports that ConAgra has placed automated external defibrillators in every facility with more than 10 employees. The company’s decision paid off in January when staff at ConAgra’s largest plant, in Russellville, Arkansas, used one of the AEDs to restart the heart of an employee who suffered a cardiac event in the breakroom before his shift.

The article said that the company’s trained responders have saved 7 lives using AEDs since the company installed the devices in 2006.

New Hampshire AEDs: Teen survives sudden cardiac arrest, now campaigns for AEDs

The New Hampshire American Red Cross honored 16-year-old Zach Harper for his work raising money to buy automated external defibrillators for his community.

Zach suffered sudden cardiac arrest at his high school and rescued by a school nurse who used the school’s AED. Harper now campaigns to raise awareness about the important of CPR training and AEDs. WMUR.com reported that he has raised funds for the purchase of three AEDs.

Related Products

• Quinton Q-Stress cardiac stress machine
• Quinton TM55/TM65 stress treadmill
• Quinton Q-Tel cardiac rehabilitation management system
• Quinton CR60 rehabilitation medical treadmill

Last 5 posts

• Cardiac Science AEDs in Spain [VIDEO] - April 4th, 2011
• Cardiac Science wins first major public access defibrillation program in Europe - March 30th, 2011
• Georgia Park saves 5 lives with AEDs - March 24th, 2011
• Sad stories, avoidable deaths? - March 23rd, 2011
• Texas school's AED saves 6-year-old's life - March 22nd, 2011

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