Cardiac Rehab at Vital Energy
By Ruth Chapman

I met Hima Dalal, Occupational Therapist and owner of Vital Energy Occupational Therapy and Wellness Center in Lexington. We had a long talk about cardiac rehabilitation and other heart condition which need rehabilitation of which Vital Energy has to offer its cardiac patients. She told me about an 8 years old patient named Ben.

It’s odd to think of a cardiac patient that young, But Ben was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplasty. This condition means that the four ventricles of his heart did not form properly and he only has two functioning lobes. Also, he has only 82-86% oxygen level which decreased his ability to run and jump, like other children his age. This young boy underwent surgery to re-route the blood flow, with the last of several surgeries occurring in November of 2009. Due to some surgical complications, young Ben Suffered a stroke causing his left arm to be non-functional and he walked dragging his leg.

Ben’s mother sought help from Vital Energy who is currently providing Ben with occupational and physical therapy in the pool, which includes walking on an underwater treadmill. The underwater treadmill helps because the buoyancy takes the weight off the joints. Initially they completed a comprehensive assessment and as a result they are performing muscle energy and craniosacral therapy to decrease tone in muscles and to increase the functional use of his left hand leg. Stay turned for more positive update on this young man’s condition.

Also, as a special treat day, I was able to meet and talk with Vital Energy cardiac rehab patient, Ted McGee explained that he never had an actual heart attack. But rather he had a disturbing episode. He recalls that it was Labor Day, September 2005 when he went home and did some yard work, preparing for a family gathering. He was able to complete the task but had to sit in a chair the rest of the day in discomfort, feeling significant back pain between his shoulders blades. Fortunately for him, he had lunch the next day, with a friend, Dr. Carl Almond whom he calls his “Angle”. He happened to mention to his friend that he felt he needed to see an orthopedic doctor for the back pain he was experiencing. Dr. Almond said to Mr. McGee that he needed to see a cardiologist and not an orthopedic doctor. Dr. Almond said that Mr. McGee needed to see cardiologist right away.  Mr. McGee went to the Cath Lab at the hospital where it was discovered he had a 98% blockage. He underwent bypass surgery right away, thus saving his life.

After surgery, Mr. McGee did attend the mandatory Phase I Cardiac Rehabilitation which typically lasts about 90 days. Mr. McGee, who had lost quite a bit of weight, gave up after a while and regained the weight he had previously lost.

Mr. McGee sees his cardiologist religiously every six months, and somehow his weight and diet were not addressed. Mr. McGee noticed himself that he had increased shortness of breath, a fact of which he brought to his doctor’s attention. His doctor suggested that he would benefit from a second cardiac rehab program. Mr. McGee immediately thought of Hima Dalal and Vital Energy Occupational Therapy and Wellness Center in Lexington.

At vital Energy, a baseline was determined and he began phase II of Cardiac Rehab. This Phase includes exercise training and progressive ambulation in an outpatient physical/occupational therapy setting. He began with aqua therapy rehab including walking on the underwater treadmill three times/week for twelve weeks. The buoyancy of water made the exercise easier on his joints and had less complaints increase a shortness of breath. It was during this time that Mr. McGee regained enough of his mobility, strength and endurance which allowed him to move onto working with personal trainer.

He is now working with Sneh Patel, Exercise Physiologist and personal trainer with Vital Energy Fitness Located right beside Vital Energy Occupational Therapy and Wellness Center. At Vital Energy Fitness, programs one-to-one and designed specifically for the individual. Sneh Patel designed Mr. McGee program and has been with him every step of the way. He has lost weight, inches and gained muscles tone with his specialized one-to-one program.

Mr. McGee is not the typical cardiac rehab patient, due to the delay between his bypass surgery and the rehabilitee program he is currently undergoing. He has been able to see significant positive results while working with the team of experts at both Vital Energy Therapy and Vital Energy Fitness. In his words, “This is the best place to come for personal attention. You’re going to improve”.