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If your loved one is in cardiac rehabilitation, he or she isn’t going it alone.

The Cardiovascular Wellness & Rehabilitation Center at Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute has a team of specialists, including a board-certifed physician, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation therapists, registered dietitians, and a holistic health instructor. There are also other patients who, like your partner, are probably recovering from recent heart problems.

Perhaps most important, however, there’s you.

“Having a supportive partner has been shown to help patients do much better after a cardiovascular event compared to patients who are on their own,” says Sarah Grall, MS, manager of the center. Cardiac rehab involves making heart-healthy lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and eating more nutritious foods. It also might mean quitting smoking and fnding ways to reduce stress. Support from a partner can help make the changes easier, reports the American Heart Association. Some things you can do:

■■ Attend educational sessions at rehab with your loved one.

■■ Adopt a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise program for the entire family.

■■ Find out if the rehab program offers support groups for partners.

■■ Adopt a positive attitude to encourage your loved one to stay motivated.

■■ Ask your partner’s doctor about how you can help make rehab as successful as possible.

Partner up for cardiac rehab

Heart health

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