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Cardiology

U H e al h t Car o i d o o l gy For Heart Patients,

a t F r o t L a ude d rda e l Yoga Can Be a Life Changer

At the Cardiopulmonary Rehabili tation
Program at UHealth—the University of
Miami Health System, program partici-
C e l e br s e t a Ame ri a c n H e a a rt M o h t n pants learn physical therapy exercises,
Pilates, mindful breathing, meditation,
and are encouraged to participate in yoga
classes at UHealth or other locations in
South Florida.
“When you have maximized everything
you can do medically, integrative therapies
like yoga, meditation, and breathing exer-
cises accomplish things regular medicine
cannot. The more challenging the patient, According to Dr. Gempel, many patients
the more they benefit from yoga,” says Dr. aren’t aware that cardiac rehabilitation
Claudia Martinez Bermudez, a clinical and exists. “Nationally, the average referral rate
interventional cardiologist with the health is only 25 percent. It is so underutilized,
system. though there is evidence that rehabilita-
Patients have found that such exercise tion causes a 25 percent decrease in all-
activities can lower or regulate blood pres- cause mortality.” One of the first things Dr.
sure, cholesterol and body weight—some- Gempel teaches patients is the four pillars
times better than medication. of rehabilitation:
The stretching, strengthening, breath- 1. Smoking cessation
ing, and meditation involved in yoga have 2. Eating a whole foods, plant-based diet
a powerful healing effect on the body. 3. Exercise
Holding different yoga poses requires a 4. Stress management
mindfulness that relaxes the body’s “fight “All styles of yoga are beneficial and can
or flight” response — the same response
ZAC H ARI IAH Z . P A C H A I R A , H M. . D that restricts blood vessels, increases heart be made easier or harder to perform, but
depending on your situation, some styles
Bo ar d eC if t r ie d in arC d y g rate and the risk of blood clots. might be more appropriate. For example,
d loio
As part of the program, Dr. Martinez chair yoga is a good option if you have
Bermudez checks each patient’s blood
Dr . Z ac h ar i ah a dn h t e r a c di o l o g y e t a m at H e h t l a wi h s poor balance. Bikram and ‘hot’ yoga can
a U
pressure when they arrive at her office, reduce your blood pressure as you sweat,
nd
o y u a h a p p y an h e al h t y A m i r e ca n H ear Mo . h t n We when it is still elevated. She then asks so patients with low blood pressure should
a t
them to take several deep breaths. “When
h p l e e k e p y o r u h e ar t h e al h t y b y o r p n i d i v n g u c tti n g e d g e I take their blood pressure again, 99 per- be cautious and stay hydrated. If you have
had heart failure or an abdominal aortic
o c t l u s n at e v i r e s v r i ce s an d s ta te of h t e ar t a i d g n c i t s o cent of the time, it has dropped. That’s aneurysm, avoid inversion poses because
how I convince them of the importance of they increase blood flow back to the
l o i d r a c og y te ti s n i h ch n i cl u d e h c e c o ar o i d d a r g m, h r e t l o deep breathing. Along with meditation, heart,” says Dr. Gempel.
n wg
m o , r o t i n c ar o l u c s a ar s s e r t s te ti s n , , g a n d n u cl e r a this overlaps in a positive way to help Physical benefits aside, the psychosocial
o i d v
lower stress hormones, which in addition support found in yoga classes can alleviate
t s re s s te ti s n . g to lowering blood pressure, also decreas- depression, a common ailment among
es "https://news.umiamihealth.org/en/whe heart patients. “As patients exercise, they
n-your-heart-is-trying-to-tell-you-some- feel better, and their whole psychology
Dr . Z c a h a i r a h is b o - d r a cer i f i t ed i nt r e e nal m ed ci i n e thing/" \t "_blank"arrhythmia.” changes,” says Dr. Martinez Bermudez.
i a
an d d r a c io lo g y hyp a i c i s n, w h o sp c e ia s e z liz in c lin ic l a That simple yet profound change makes it
Saying “yes” to yoga easier to deal with whatever life presents –
d r a c io lo g , y c ar acid c at h z i r e t e at o i , n an d d e v r e t n i o i t n n al Dr. Martinez Bermudez and Dr. Sabine from health issues to traffic jams.
o l o i d r a c . y g He h as p r o f r e m e d v o er 3 0 , 5, 00 h e ar t Gempel, the program’s physical thera-
pist, encourage heart patients interested in To learn more about UHealth’s
e c o r p p
s
h t a c o i t a z i r e t e s n and e v r e t n i o i t n n al e d . s e r u He h as yoga and cardiac rehabilitation to start a Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program,
al o s - o c au h t r o de r l a r e v e s e i c s c i f i t n p a p , s r e an d conversation with their doctor. call (305) 689-1141.
v iar
p ci i t r a p e t a d n i v o s u c lin ic . s l a i r t l a
Shipley Cardiothoracic Center
a p
To s ch e d e l u an ap t n i o me , t n ca l l 954 - 772 2200.-2 Expansion Builds on Revolutionary
N e w L oc t a ion Approach to Heart, Lung Care

U H e al h t C ol i d r a og y at F t r o L au d d r e e l a

4800 N 02 th Ter St e 20 1 Shipley Cardiothoracic Center has officially opened its doors, ushering in a new phase
e ,r

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for cardiothoracic care in Southwest Florida. The center, located at HealthPark Medical
F t r o La u d d r e e l a , FL 33308
Center, is an innovative approach to the surgical treatment of heart and lung diseases
with an emphasis on innovation, education and research. Through cutting-edge treat-
ment and dedication to patient care, the Shipley Center has made a difference in the lives
of thousands of patients. The 13,290 square-foot Shipley Center expansion establishes an
innovation hub focused on patient care optimization, research, and learning opportuni-
ties for surgical clinical teams worldwide. The Shipley Center aims to improve patient
outcomes through an in-depth understanding of individual patient risk factors, co-mor-
UH a e htl a Sy e t s m c . om bidities and personal health needs before surgery. The center will also include a compo-
nent of health education to help patients understand how to stay healthy and potentially
avoid surgery. The center was made possible by an initial $2.5 million gift from Shipley
Foundation, Inc., headed by Richard C. Shipley of Sanibel, and additional funds were
raised through community donations. The expansion also includes an educational con-
ference center for surgeons and health care professionals that come from across the coun-
try to train with our team. This hub provides live-case teaching, simulators and destina-
tion and distance learning opportunities for health care professionals.
24 February 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News