Hugh Chatham Health Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Team: Ali Wood, Clinical Coordinator; Dr. Isaacs, Medical Director; Dana Prevette, Exercise Physiologist; Jordan Stamper, Personal Trainer; and Stephanie Allen, Counselor.
On Feb. 17 the Hugh Chatham Health Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab team all wore red as did their many patients, friends, and family members to celebrate Heart Month.
One very grateful patron of Hugh Chatham Health’s Cardiac Rehab is Eddie Bowen, a seventy-year-old heart transplant recipient from Traphill. Bowen, who is coming up on his one-year anniversary since his surgery, attends three workouts a week at the rehab facility located inside the hospital.
Bowen, who calls his heart attack an “episode” instead of an attack, says that because his was not like you see on TV; a sudden pain that makes you grab your arm and chest in severe pain before falling over deceased. It was shortness of breath, lack of energy and inability to function that landed him in the hospital.
“I went in the hospital with my episode on Feb. 28, 2022, had surgery April 14 and went home April 29. The hardest part was that six week wait for a heart” said Bowen. “I lived a fairly healthy life growing up on a farm, playing sports and running, but my father had a massive heart attack at 55 so I knew this was hereditary.”
“It has become a maintenance routine for me,” Bowen continued. “Even after the required thirty-six sessions that insurance required and paid for, it’s only $2.50 to come work out and it is comforting to know the team is there if I need them. I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful they are — so experienced, well trained, and knowledgeable. We are lucky to have that right here in Elkin.”
Bowen says the number 14 has always been a lucky number for him, and now April 14 serves as a reminder of just how lucky he is.
Hugh Chatham Health’s Cardiac Rehab offers exercise classes, patient education sessions focused on heart disease management, nutrition, benefits of exercise, stress management and relaxation techniques.
For more information about the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, call 336-527-7523.
