Dr. Jay Adlersberg is known to millions of viewers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as the Health and Medical Reporter of ABC 7's award-winning Eyewitness News. For 20 years, he has reported on advances in the art and science of medicine.Elderly heart surgery patients are giving it their all to help with their recovery,
writes Dr. Jay Adlersberg
NEW YORK (New York-WABC), November 12, 2007:
We are all living longer, and now even the elderly are having heart bypass surgery and heart valve replacements. After only five to seven days in the hospital, they're back on their feet. But they're not just walking, they're actually working out.
To the strains of 'Ol Blue Eyes, that's Frank Sinatra if you don't go back as far as Fay Maclis, this heart failure patient is strengthening her legs and her heart. She is 100 years old. Of course, when you're that age, you might need a little help before an interview.
"I have never exercised home much, so I found this very good for me," she said.
Many seniors don't exercise much. As a matter of fact, years ago, after heart attacks or heart surgery, the elderly were often told to go home, just rest and take their medicines.
"They would continue with weakness and debility," said Dr. Jonathan Whiteson, of NYU Medical Center. "They would not regain their functional tolerance, and would be become more dependent on family and caregivers."
Now, they're up on the treadmill and the bicycle, granted at a slower pace than with younger heart patients, and monitored more closely by staff. Not only do they build muscle strength and a stronger heart, the rehab reduces their blood cholesterol, their blood pressure and their anxiety levels.
Sometimes the elderly are a bit anxious about doing cardiac rehab, especially if they haven't been active much before being in the hospital.
Like 86-year-old Jerry Gagliano, who just had double bypass surgery.
"I never had time to go into a gym to do what they're doing here," he said. "So I was a little concerned, but willing to learn." After just a few days of rehab, he says he's improved his stamina. "About 10 percent a day," he said. "The last few days has been beautiful. I've loved every minute of it."
Maclis has learned the lesson, too. "It makes you aware that you can't sit still or lie down all the time, you have to keep moving," she said.
And if they do keep moving, Dr. Whiteson says studies show that they get a greater increase in endurance than in a younger group of cardiac rehab patients, much to the surprise and pleasure of the heart researchers.
Copyright 2007 WABC-TV
