RUMC, in partnership with Movn Health, is among the first providers on Staten Island offering an at-home option
Following a heart attack, heart surgery, or diagnoses of other heart problems, cardiac rehabilitation is a medically proven effective part of person’s recovery. It can help a person recuperate and also prevent future heart problems. Thanks to an innovative new program, Richmond University Medical Center is now among the first providers on Staten Island to provide patients with the access to the full benefits of cardiac rehabilitation right from the comfort of their own home.
In partnership with Movn Health, RUMC is now offering at-home cardiac rehabilitation to qualifying patients. The program is covered by most insurances. Patients will be monitored virtually by RUMC cardiologists and a heart care team through devices provided to them, including a smart watch, blood pressure monitor and cuff, and weight scale. The devices are included as part of the program at no extra cost and can be kept after completing the program. Patients will meet weekly with a dedicated care manager to discuss healthy habit goals and track progress based on a set treatment plan developed by their RUMC cardiologist. They will be encouraged to participate in virtual group or individual exercise programs, and enroll in education classes that include topics such as nutrition and wellness.
Designed as a 12-week program, both RUMC and Movn Health track each patient’s activities and progress, making changes as needed based on the information collected. Once completed, patients can choose to continue meeting with their care team through Movn Health’s maintenance program for up to an additional 9 months.
Patients are already experiencing benefits as a result of the program. Joe Carannante, a survivor of three heart attacks and a stroke, said the ability to perform his rehab at home through the program has made an almost immediate impact. “I enrolled in this cardiac rehab program and I am happy that I did,” he said. “My coach Monder is excellent. I felt the program was very informative as far as teaching me how to change my lifestyle with eating better and doing proper exercises to manage my heart rate and regain my strength.”
RUMC’s Cardiology Department Chief, Francesco Rotatori, MD, FACC, will serve as medical director of the program and oversee all RUMC patients who enroll. Dr. Rotatori has been with RUMC since 2017 and is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Internal Medicine, Interventional Cardiology, and Nuclear Cardiology.
“As physicians, when we care for patient with heart disease, we have multiple tools, including medications or medical devices, but in reality, physical exercise through a cardiac rehabilitation program has been proven to be one of the most effective tools to improve quality and prolong life,” Dr. Rotatori said.
Cardiac rehabilitation is an important program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problem that required surgery or medical care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 800,000 people in the United States have a heart attack every year. About 1 in 4 of those people have already had a previous heart attack. Studies have found that cardiac rehabilitation helps men and women of all ages with mild, moderate, or severe heart problems.
Patients enrolled in the program will be monitored virtually by RUMC cardiologists and a heart care team through devices provided to them, including a smart watch, blood pressure monitor and cuff, and weight scale.
However, some people are less likely to start or finish a cardiac rehabilitation program. CDC studies show that women, especially minority women, are less likely than men to start or complete cardiac rehabilitation. Older adults are also less likely to join a cardiac rehabilitation program because they may think they are unable to do the physical activity because of age, or other conditions that may make exercising harder, such as arthritis.
Cardiac rehabilitation is medically proven to have many short- and long-term health benefits including strengthening the heart after a heart attack, relieving symptoms of heart problems, reducing stress, improving mood, encouraging a more healthy lifestyle, and increasing a person’s energy and strength. Studies have also found that cardiac rehabilitation decreases the chance that a person will die in the five years following a heart attack or bypass surgery by about 35%.
“We are excited to bring Movn Health to Staten Island and increase access to high-quality cardiovascular care,” Harsh Vathsangam, CEO of Movn Health, said. “We are proud to partner with a leading luminary in Richmond University Medical Center to offer patients the convenience and flexibility of completing cardiac rehab from the comfort of their own homes.”
RUMC will continue to also offer in-person, on-site cardiac rehabilitation through its Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center which is located on the main hospital campus at 288 Kissel Avenue in West Brighton.
Recently, RUMC was named a “High Performing Hospital” for the fourth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report for its care of congestive heart failure patients. RUMC was one of only 652 hospitals nationwide to earn the designation out of nearly 4,500 hospitals evaluated. RUMC also received the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines-Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center Gold award in recognition of its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks. Each year, about 285,000 people in the U.S. experience a STEMI heart attack, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery, according to the American Heart Association.
Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), is a not-for-profit healthcare provider serving the ethnically diverse community of Staten Island and its neighbors. We provide premier-quality patient care through a full spectrum of emergent, acute, primary, behavioral health and educational services. We do this in an environment that promotes the highest satisfaction among patients, families, physicians and staff. For more information call 1-718-818-1234 or visit www.rumcsi.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
