You may be recovering from a heart attack or cardiac surgery. Or maybe you’ve been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. You’re suddenly following an unexpected path filled with questions, uncertainty and sometimes fear. You want to survive…you have a life to live. We’re here with cardiology services to help you do exactly that.

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital offers cardiac care to the region through a specialty cardiac clinic and a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program. Our multidisciplinary medical team delivers a treatment plan designed for your unique needs and circumstances. Qualified hospital staff supports you through an exercise, nutrition and risk-reduction program, while board-certified physicians from Asheville Cardiology Associates, a Mission Medical Associates, Inc. practice, provide medical care.

If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
They will initiate life-saving care and communicate with our Emergency Department.

A physician referral is needed to enter our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. If you have any questions or would like more information, call 828-766-1590.

Our Patients
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital is available for anyone with heart-related conditions, as well as those recovering from cardiac surgery or a heart attack. You may benefit from our services if you have any of the following:

• Angina (chest pain or discomfort)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Congestive heart failure
• High risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight
• Congenital abnormalities
• Peripheral artery disease
• Post heart attack
• Pacemaker
• Post cardiac procedures: angioplasty, stents, bypass surgery, transplant

Cardiac Rehabilitation
Entering cardiac rehabilitation may be one of the most important steps you’ll ever take. Blue Ridge Regional Hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation program is a State certified and medically supervised program designed to help you recover from heart surgery or disease, manage symptoms, regain strength, reduce risk factors and get you back to living with a lifestyle maintenance plan.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a process that supports you through an individualized education and exercise plan. Our goal is to reverse any limitations you may face as a result of cardiovascular disease, surgery or a heart attack. The program includes:

• Monitored exercise: Following recommendations from your physician, we’ll supervise your progress as you begin to rebuild muscle strength and endurance. We begin with a safe and effective level of exercise and slowly increase the program, with a long term goal of returning to your normal range of activities. As you exercise, you’re monitored by staff and telemetry that provides important readings about your heart rate.

• Nutritional counseling: Diet and nutrition are key components to regaining heart health. We’ll teach you about a heart-healthy diet, including diabetic counseling or referral to our Diabetes Management Program if needed.

• Medical supervision: We’ll answer questions about medications, monitor you medication regimen, and assess blood pressure and vital signs.

• Risk management: The chance of future problems may be reduced, and existing heart conditions may be improved, by adjusting your lifestyle to reduce risk factors associated with heart disease. We’ll work with you to develop a plan that addresses your needs by considering factors such as:

• Weight reduction
• Stress management
• Smoking cessation
• Diabetes management
• Reduce blood pressure
• Reduce cholesterol and triglycerides

Cardiology Clinic
Our affiliation with Mission Health System allows Blue Ridge Regional Hospital to operate a weekly cardiology clinic. Medical care is provided by board certified cardiologists employed by Mission Medical Associates, Inc.

Diagnostic procedures available at the hospital include:

• Nuclear medicine cardiac stress
• Echocardiogram
• Fluoroscopy and angiography
• Holter monitor (portable heart monitor)
• Cardiac event monitor
• Electrocardiogram

Cardiac Surgery
Heart surgery is not performed on-site at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. However, we confidently meet your needs by managing a smooth and rapid transfer to Mission Hospital’s nationally recognized Owen Heart Center, should you desire.

Heart Emergencies
If you arrive at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital with a cardiac emergency, our experienced Emergency Department physicians are able to deliver stabilizing care and prepare you for rapid transport to Mission Hospital via EMS or the Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA), where appropriate. MAMA and its specially-trained flight crew provide critical healthcare en route to the hospital.

Medical Professionals
Optimal results are achieved through a multidisciplinary team working together to implement your treatment plan. Our team includes:

• Board certified physicians
• Registered nurses
• Registered dietitians
• Exercise specialists
• Pharmacists

Insurance
We participate with most major insurance plans, but please check with your individual provider to determine whether they participate and to be sure you meet their qualification requirements.

Appointments and Information
You’ll need a referral to enter the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. If you have heart problems and think you may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation, please talk with your doctor about whether our program might help. To schedule an appointment call 828-766-1590.

The cardiology clinic is held at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital every Friday. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-544-7489.

Heart Services
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital
125 Hospital Dr.
Spruce Pine, NC 28777