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Studies have shown that stress is a contributing risk factor for cardiovascular disease as it can lead to high blood pressure, chest pain and irregular heartbeat.
In an effort to help patients relax and manage their stress levels, the cardiac rehabilitation team at Putnam Hospital Center introduced a cardiac yoga program this month led by physical therapist Jyoti Kelkar.
“This gives another aspect of wellness to our patients,” said Cathy Ahern, coordinator of Putnam Hospital Center’s cardiac rehabilitation program. “Post-operatively patients don’t always get to stretch. They guard their chest and their bodies. This gives them an opportunity to move and breathe properly in a medically supervised environment.”
Kelkar recently led a class through a series of gentle yoga exercises, both sitting in a chair and standing behind it, using blocks and straps. A certified yoga instructor, Kelkar specializes in designing yoga regimens for cardiac patients.
“I found it to be very relaxing. I feel good,” Romaniello said after one of the classes. “I’m a cardiac patient and I just want to feel better.”
The cardiac yoga class will meet again from 12 to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21 and Tuesday, Dec. 19 in the hospital’s Physical Therapy office, suite 203. In 2018, the program will be offered from 12 to 1 p.m., the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the Michael T. Weber Conference Rooms, 670 Stoneleigh Ave.
To learn more about cardiac yoga, please call Cathy Ahern at 845-279-5711 ext. 5620 (TTY 1-800-421-1220). For more information on cardiac rehabilitation at Putnam Hospital Center, visit https://www.healthquest.org/Heart/Cardiac-Rehab.aspx.