Marin

A Testimonial from one of our Members:

The YMCA cardiac exercise program offers a valuable resource for post-coronary patients who generally suffer from debilitating coronary exercise limitations and fear of exercising without adequate supervision.

The program for rehabilitation has come a long way from the 1950’s when it was felt that since the heart was a muscle, following a myocardial infarct (heart attack) that the ideal treatment was 6 weeks of total and complete bed rest. That ancient philosophy has been replaced with the programs like those at the YMCA, which recognizes that constant exercise is the best medicine.   

One need only look at the constant and long-term attendance at the Marin YMCA to understand how effective the program is in motivating participants to religiously continue and stay with the classes. Nurses constantly monitor and evaluate patients making sure they do not exceed their limits, while simultaneously encouraging adequate exercise necessary for revascularization and cardiac rehabilitation.

I am one of the younger participants in the group (age 64) and probably the most debilitated (I recently qualified for a heart transplant), but I nevertheless plan my week to attend as many YMCA classes as possible. The difference in my well-being and cardiac functioning is noticeable, and under the supervision of the nurses, I am comfortable exercising within the very narrow limits of my fitness ability. 

T.G. in San Rafael, YMCA Cardiac Therapy Member since 2009