Content provided by Memorial Regional Health

Memorial Regional Health now offers a comprehensive cardiopulmonary rehab program for patients recovering from heart and lung conditions and procedures.

Led by the Respiratory therapy team, the program consists of assessment, supervised exercise, nutrition counseling, medication review and lifestyle education. Each patient’s rehabilitation plan is tailored to their individual needs and goals.

“Rehab helps reduce mortality, enhance quality of life, decrease rehospitalization, and more,” said Registered Respiratory Therapist Chris Singer, who worked in a similar program at another Colorado hospital before joining MRH in 2024. “We don’t want Craig residents to have to drive an hour each way multiple times a week to participate in rehab. This new program is a huge benefit for the community.”

Patients of all ages who have recently experienced a heart attack, bypass surgery, stent placement or heart-valve repair or replacement are good candidates for cardiopulmonary rehab. Other conditions that may qualify a patient for rehab include stable angina, chronic heart failure, COPD, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension and more. For patients who qualify, rehab is typically covered by insurance.

While each rehab participant’s program is individualized, generally patients come to the MRH rehab gym two or three times a week for about an hour each time. Sessions are led and supervised by an MRH respiratory therapist. Exercise might include stretching, walking on a treadmill and light strength training. Heart patients wear monitors as they exercise to ensure their heart rate and rhythm remain stable. The program runs for 36 sessions.

“We always start with patients where they are,” Singer said. “Once they start gaining a little bit of ground, which happens after just a couple of weeks, they notice improvements. They realize they can go up a flight of stairs without getting winded. Or they walk their dog. Or they can play with their grandkids. They begin to have renewed hope. They feel younger and revitalized. It’s beautiful.”

Singer, who led the creation of the MRH program, said that in addition to helping patients regain their physical stamina, rehab also has numerous mental and emotional health benefits.

“Workouts change your life,” he said. “They help people avoid depression and be their best selves. Rehab also has a social aspect. Patients who might have been feeling unwell and staying home a lot are able to get out of the house, get moving and enjoy talking with others. It’s like a flower that blossoms.”

Call Out

Patients who are interested in cardiopulmonary rehab should see their primary care or specialist physician and ask for a referral.

Questions? Call Anessa Kopsa, MRH cardiopulmonary and sleep lab manager, at (970) 826-2211.