Building Better Hearts was the established goal of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, or Cardiac Rehab, when it was introduced as a new service at Speare Memorial Hospital on October 24, 2005. Opened as part of the hospital’s then recent renovation and expansion, the Cardiac Rehab program was developed in response to a community health need. Today, Cardiac Rehab at Speare is celebrating its 10th anniversary with nearly 500 graduates of the program.

While the success of the program isn’t a surprise to Exercise Physiologist Craig Johnson, how the program has evolved is a surprise. “When the program started 10 years ago we didn’t have cardiologists from Catholic Medical Center (CMC) coming to Speare,” recalls Craig. “One of the first things I did was to go down and meet with CMC to align their patient discharges with referrals to our Cardiac Rehab program. Ten years later nine out of every ten referrals come from CMC, and now cardiologists are here twice a week helping us provide the full continuum of cardiac care right here at Speare.”

His colleague and fellow Exercise Physiologist, Rachel (Kindl) Currier, adds “We usually know who our incoming patients are before they are even discharged. We are definitely partners (with CMC) in helping cardiac patients in central New Hampshire improve their cardiovascular fitness.”

Craig notes that early on, patients didn’t know what Cardiac Rehab was or understand the benefits of the program in helping them recover from their cardiac event. “But today’s patients expect Cardiac Rehab to be part of their medical therapy,” says Craig. “They’ve heard about it from a friend, neighbor or coworker, and have some idea of what to expect before they get here.”

Changing patient behaviors is the main goal of Cardiac Rehab. “Ten years ago the average age of cardiac patients was between 65 and 72,” says Craig. “Today the average age is 58.”

“The American lifestyle is to blame,” explains Rachel, “between lack of exercise, less than ideal nutrition, and even tobacco abuse.” While for some people heart disease is mainly due to genetics, for many, it develops over time due to a lack of consistency in elevating blood pressure and heart rate through exercise, in combination with poor eating habits, lack of sleep and stress management. Rachel says, “It gets to the point where patients can’t ignore their symptoms anymore, and we see it happening in younger patients every day.”

The prescribed Cardiac Rehab program is a combination of exercise and education over 36 sessions. Meeting three times a week, Craig and Rachel continually monitor patients’ EKG heart rate, blood pressure and level of exertion during typical 30 minute circuits. Since each patient exercises at a different level, relative to his or her medical history, current ability and personal goals, exercises are adjusted accordingly. Education sessions focus on lifestyle changes and disease management with classes on diet, nutrition, pharmacy, anatomy, exercise and stress management.

In 2013, Speare’s Cardiac Rehab Program became nationally certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available, and are committed to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care. AACVPR certification reinforces Cardiac Rehab’s mission as a risk-factor modification program for building better hearts.

Charles “Charlie” Sniffen, Holderness
Bypass and Valve Replacement – Graduated: 2012

Charlie admits he was doing all the wrong things. His primary care doctor, Dr. Young, kept worrying about him and telling him he should be doing 10 thousand steps a day. Charlie says, “I didn’t listen.” While he hadn’t had a heart attack, Charlie says, “I was in really bad shape. I couldn’t walk very far without having to stop and catch my breath. Traveling for work I always used to look for the moving walkways in airports as I was so out of breath. ”

That’s when Dr. Young referred him to the visiting CMC cardiologists. Preliminary tests showed he was going to need surgery . . . immediately. After surgery he came to Speare’s Cardiac Rehab. “Craig and Rachel were fantastic, the program with education was great . . . every day was amazing.” After graduating, Charlie went on to join RehabFIT at Rachel’s recommendation. You can now find him at the gym six days a week at 5:30 a.m. He says, “I feel better than I have in 25 years.” And when he is traveling, he no longer uses the moving walkways at airports. Click Here to hear more of his story

 William Green, Campton
Heart Attack – Graduated: 2005

William Green has the honor of being the first graduate of Speare’s Cardiac Rehab program. Before his heart attack William says, “I was not an exercise person in any way, shape or form.” A decade later he remains a changed man, continuing to exercise at RehabFIT at least three days a week.

William explains that after his prescribed Cardiac Rehab program he immediately enrolled in the Maintenance Program, where he continued to exercise three days a week. Once RehabFIT opened in 2010, he became a member up there. He says, “I’ve been very fortunate. Cardiac Rehab saved my life, and today I’m doing very well.”  Click Here to hear more of his story

MaryAnn Adams, Holderness
Heart attack and Bypass Surgery – Graduated: 2010 and 2014

MaryAnn’s story starts in March 2010 when she had a heart attack, was brought to Speare’s Emergency Department, and air lifted to Catholic Medical Center (CMC). After her hospitalization, she was referred to Speare’s Cardiac Rehab Program. Being a retired nurse who had an active lifestyle, MaryAnn appreciated the monitored exercise program and learned a few tips from the nutritional counseling.

Genetics got the best of MaryAnn when she had another heart attack in September 2011, followed by a two-way bypass. Having felt good about her first experience with Cardiac Rehab, she decided to go through the program again. She says, “I live close by, but a lot of people live further out, so it is such an advantage for Speare to have this program and partnership with CMC.”

Click Here to hear more of her story

Harry George, Wentworth
Valve Replacement – Graduated: 2015

The first day Harry George came to Cardiac Rehab for his initial assessment, he was in a wheel chair. Nearly a year after open heart surgery to replace his aortic valve due to a bacterial infection, Harry was dancing down the halls of Speare.

“Now I have two birthdays,” Harry says. “My actual birthday on October 22 and the day I was saved on August 30.” But his journey back has been a long one. Following his surgery, Harry was unable to walk or eat. However determination, a positive attitude, and giving Cardiac Rehab everything he had, have helped him recover. He says, “I’m very excited about life and what it takes to make each day a positive, wonderful experience. The Speare Cardiac Rehab program was very important on my road to feeling this way, and if I’m going to give any kudos, it is to Cardiac Rehab.” Click Here to hear more of his story.