Cardiac rehabilitation can be key to longevity

In 1987, he had his first heart attack followed by a record seven-artery bypass for the hospital, the surgeon and, obviously, him. Overweight and with cholesterol out of control, George Lee Congleton was told that he better change his ways or put his affairs in order.

Now 94, he not only mows his own huge lawn, but the neighbors’ as well. He goes fishing in the spring and to elk camp in the fall. Each winter he drives to Utah to fly model airplanes, and this year he bought a brand new car. Doesn’t sound like a man waiting to meet his maker does it?

Congleton credits attending Bonner General Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program three times a week for the last four years, and, of course, his wife’s healthy cooking for his good health.

Today, at 5 foot 8 inches, he weighs in at 147 pounds. The rehab nurse, Lori Morris, takes his vitals, checks his chart and tells him to do 10 and 15.

What that means is that after a good warm up of stretching exercises he’ll do 10 minutes on the stationary bike and 15 minutes on the seated stepper. Both pieces of equipment have tension and speed controls set specifically for Congleton’s workout. At the end of the workout, he’ll do cool down exercises and Moore will check vitals again.

“I get a little tired,” he said stopping for a rest. “Lori catches me out once in awhile. One day though, she listened to my heart and told me to go sit down and wait. Then she went off and called my doctor before letting me go on. In here the nurses are the bosses.”

Previous shoulder surgery keeps him away from the weights, and gout keeps him off the treadmill. Not a cookie cutter program, the cardiac rehab is tailored specifically to the patient for the best results.

There are two programs going on simultaneously. The monitored program is prescribed for people who have had recent heart events such as heart attack, angina, coronary artery angioplasty or stents, bypass surgery, heart failure or transplants. These patients undergo rehabilitation for 12 weeks and most insurances and Medicare cover it.

Congleton is on the maintenance program. After completing the monitored program he chose to continue to workout under the supervision of the hospital staff. At only $6 per session, he thinks the investment is priceless.

“George Lee is an inspiration to the patients who are often skeptical and de-pressed,” Jody Thoreson, RN, BSN, clinical director of outpatient services at BGH who oversees the cardiac rehab program. “People learn from him.”

Thoreson said that most people show up because their doctor ordered it. They’re often frightened and need to know that being active is good for them. The social support is invaluable.

“We can set up a home maintenance plan, but often people continue to come here. People appreciate gaining their self-confidence, improving how they feel and decreasing their risk for further heart events. They find out that they can survive,” Thoreson said. “Anyone can join, they just need to call for a time (263-1441).”

At the end of his session, Congleton said, “I was asked one day if I liked the nurses here. I said, ‘no, I really don’t like them at all.” He stopped a minute, and smiled. “I love every one of them.’”

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at 264-4029 or by email at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.