FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEB 17, 2009

ST. JOHN’S 19^TH ANNUAL KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS

The 19^th annual King and Queen of Hearts celebration was held at St. John’s Hammons Heart Institute in Springfield earlier this month.  The event recognizes individuals who have made substantial and inspiring life changes to avoid addition heart problems.

Seven outstanding cardiac rehabilitation patients from across the region were nominated for making dramatic changes to live heart healthy lifestyles.

Jim Fair of St. Robert was crowned St. John’s Hammons Heart Institute King of Hearts.  The 19^th annual King and Queen of Hearts celebration recognizes cardiopulmonary rehab patients who have made substantial and inspiring life changes to avoid addition heart problems

Jim was surprised to discover in July 2008 that he had multiple vessel coronary artery disease and would need coronary bypass surgery. Following his surgery he joined the cardiac rehab program at St. John’s Therapy Services in St. Robert. He gave up a 30-year smoking habit and made substantial dietary changes. He dropped from seven cans of soda a day to one and cut out the heavy meals and fatty foods. He began to regularly exercise and though working long hours, attends rehab on his lunch hour, He has made exercise a family affair and is now joined by his wife and two daughters.

 

St. John’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation began in 1981 under the direction of John Bentley, MD who helped start the cardiac rehab program at the YMCA for St. John’s patients.  In 1986, after a generous donation by Springfield philanthropist John Q. Hammons, cardiac rehab moved to its current Hammons Heart Institute facility on the St. John’s campus.

During the early 1990s, St. John’s Hammons Heart staff wrote the first standards of care for cardiac and pulmonary rehab patients for the state of Missouri.  These were later used to develop national standards.

In 2004, St. John’s Women’s Heart Center was opened inside the heart institute. The center educates Ozarks women about heart health with a focus on prevention and is part of St. John’s cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program.

Patients participate in rehabilitation at St. Johns’ 11 outpatient cardiac rehabilitation locations throughout southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Many of the programs are certified through the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation staff includes registered nurses, exercise physiologists, respiratory therapists, registered dietitians, physical therapists and psychologists. Many of the staff are certified as exercise specialists through the American College of Sports Medicine, or as Certified Diabetes Educators through the American Diabetes Association.

THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS WERE ALSO NOMINATED:

Sue Eckels of Aurora

Sue was first diagnosed with heart disease in 2005 and over the next few years required bypass surgery and subsequent angiograms, stents and EECP treatments. While preparing for knee surgery in June 2008, she required another stent and began the phase 2 cardiac rehab program at St John’s Hospital - Aurora. With risk factors of high blood pressure, increased blood cholesterol levels, Sue worked hard through healthy lifestyle changes and medication compliance to get these values to within normal limits. She has lost 10 pounds and is planning to lose 10 more. She faithfully attends rehab and since retiring from her work feels that stress is no longer an issue for her.

Larry Rose of Springfield

In early 2008, Larry was diagnosed with coronary artery disease which led to an off-pump coronary bypass surgery in February 2008. With a number of risk factors to modify, Larry got to work. He began exercising regularly and he and his wife, Valetha, worked hard to modify their eating habits, eating less red meat and more chicken and fish, decreasing portion sizes and salt intake, and cutting back on desserts. He was able to lose 16 lbs, decrease his body fat, bring down his blood pressure, and improve his cholesterol levels.

Ralph Long of Lebanon

Ralph was diagnosed with high blood pressure two years ago and in the spring of 2008 developed neck and chest pain that eventually resulted in the need for angioplasty surgery and stent placement. In July he joined the St John’s Hospital - Lebanon cardiac rehab program. Ralph made numerous changes to his previous lifestyle of no exercise and a bad diet that resulted in substantial improvement in his cardiac risk factors. Decreased blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, a 40 pound weight loss, and a significant drop in body fat were just some of them. He drastically improved his eating habits, cutting down on fats and sodium and increasing his intake of healthier foods. He attended rehab faithfully and continues to exercise daily.

Clara Belle Dodson of Cassville

Clara learned in August 2008 she needed a mitral valve replacement. She had been having difficulty walking or exercising without getting tired and short of breath immediately.  Following surgery, Clara joined the St John’s Hospital - Cassville cardiac rehab program. Although she did not have coronary artery disease, following surgery Clara made changes to her diet to fit in with the American Heart Association guidelines for a heart healthy diet and lost 20 pounds. She regularly attends rehab and intends to continue exercising even after she graduates.

Alan Duncan of Mount Vernon

Alan underwent angioplasty surgery in October 2008 and had two stents placed. Soon after, he joined the cardiac rehab program at the Missouri Rehab Center in Mt Vernon.  Since beginning rehab, he has changed his eating habits by cutting out the fried and fatty foods and as a result has lost nine pounds. He has gone from not exercising at all to able to do perform a high endurance 60-minute workout three days a week. With compliance to his medications, the new healthier eating habits and the habit of regular exercise Alan has been able to successfully manage his blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Claude Winborne of Nixa

Claude is a long-time believer in the positive effects of cardiac rehab, regularly attending since 1997 in another community. When he developed further problems in 2008, he joined the St. John’s Clinic - Nixa cardiac rehab program. Building on earlier dietary changes he had made, Claude learned to decrease his portion sizes, eat only when hungry, eat less fried food, make leaner meat choices, and make recipe substitutions. These changes resulted in improved cholesterol levels, improved blood pressure and weight loss for him. With the changes Claude has made in diet and exercise, he has even been able to decrease some of the medications he takes.

Thomas Gideon of Springfield

After experiencing chest discomfort for a couple of weeks, Thomas discovered in July 2008 that he had coronary artery disease and required a stent placement. Soon afterwards, he began cardiac rehab at the St John’s West Kearney facility in Springfield. Although he had quit smoking many years ago, Thomas had other coronary risk factors that he worked hard to improve. With a decreased sodium intake he was able to manage borderline high blood pressure without the need for medications. Dietary changes and medication compliance resulted in a modest weight loss and improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Although he had already been walking at home, his exercise levels increased in cardiac rehab and along with his wife, he continues to be active.

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