www.methodisthospital.org
5
Stroke Recovery Program
Methodist Hospital now offers a new program for those dealing with the aftermath of stroke. The Stroke Recovery
Program allows stroke survivors to continue on the road to recovery after other resources, such as insurance-covered
therapy, have been exhausted. This class is free, thanks to a generous grant from Edison International and Vons
Foundation.
The program is designed to help patients regain movement and increase independence with everyday tasks. In a
small-class setting, skilled physical and occupational therapists will encourage and train stroke survivors to use their
impaired arms for everyday tasks such as brushing teeth, buttoning shirts or putting on shoes. Many activity and exer-
cise stations for general movement will be available, and patient progress during class will be documented.
Methodist Hospital was recog-
nized recently by the American
Heart Association as a Mission:
Lifeline Receiving Center Silver
Performance Achievement Award
Hospital. The award recognizes
the hospital’s commitment to and
success for heart attack patients
in implementing a higher stan-
dard of care that improves the
survival and care of STEMI (ST
Elevation Myocardial Infarction)
patients.
Every year, almost 250,000 people
experience the STEMI type of heart
attack. Unfortunately, many don’t
receive prompt reperfusion therapy,
which is critical in restoring blood
fow. Mission: Lifeline seeks to close
the gaps that separate STEMI pa-
tients from timely access to appro-
priate treatments. Mission: Lifeline
focuses on improving the system
of care for these patients and ulti-
mately improving care for all heart
attack patients.
Hospitals that receive the Mission:
Lifeline Silver Performance Achieve-
ment Award have demonstrated for
12 consecutive months that at least
85 percent of eligible STEMI patients
are treated within specifc time frames
upon entering the hospital and are
discharged following the American
Heart Association’s recommended
treatment guidelines.
To be designated as a STEMI-
receiving hospital, a hospital must
have the equipment, expertise and
facilities to administer percutane-
ous coronary intervention (PCI), a
mechanical means of treating heart
attack patients. Although PCI is the
preferred means of treating STEMI
patients, only 25 percent of hospitals
in the country are equipped to do
so. These PCI-capable hospitals—
like Methodist Hospital—are called
STEMI-receiving hospitals because
they are well equipped to receive
and treat STEMI patients.
American Heart Association recognizes Methodist Hospital with heart attack care award
NEED MORE?
If you or someone you know might benefit from this program, contact the physical
medicine department at 626-574-3630 for more information and registration materials.
TICKER TALK
Weighty matters
Obesity is a risk factor for
heart disease. It affects:
»
23 percent of white women.
»
36 percent of Mexican
American women.
»
38 percent of
black women.
Source: Women’s Heart
Foundation
Warning signs
Common heart attack
symptoms for women
include:
»
Chest pain or discomfort.
»
Shortness of breath.
»
Nausea.
»
Vomiting.
»
Back or jaw pain.
Source: American Heart Association
Talk to your doctor
Start with a frank conversation
with your doctor to understand
your personal risks and what to
do about them. Medicines and
lifestyle changes may be needed.
No matter what your age, it’s
never too early—or too late—
to make a healthy heart a top
priority.
Women and
heart disease
Heart disease is often consid-
ered a man’s problem. But that
is far from the truth:
»
8 million women in the U.S. are
living with heart disease.
»
42 percent of women who have
a heart attack die within one
year, compared with 24 per-
cent of men.
»
For women under age 50,
heart attacks are twice as likely
as men’s to be fatal.