Pulmonary rehab program offered at Old Town YMCA

OLD TOWN – The Old Town-Orono YMCA started a Phase III Pulmonary Rehab Program in July and a Phase III Cardiac Rehab Program in September. Both have experienced quick growth and have provided local individuals with an alternative to traveling to Bangor for continuing rehab.

Having two separate medical rehab programs in Old Town is very convenient for members who live in town or in surrounding towns, YMCA officials explained. The classes are designed to keep people who have had a heart or lung disease moving and motivated to prevent further illness.

The cardiac and pulmonary programs are supervised by Old Town Family Practice staff and Dr. Chris Ritter. Each class is monitored by a health care professional who is advanced cardiac life support-certified.

A typical class begins with an individual’s blood pressure and heart rate being taken and recorded. Ritter reviews all charts approximately once a month to monitor a participant’s vital signs and performance improvement.

Pulmonary rehab participants meet twice a week 9:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. They perform a variety of exercises such as a warm-ups seated in chairs, strength training and cardiovascular activity in the workout center.

Cardiac rehab participants have a choice of classes to attend during the week. They are 7:15-8:15 a.m. or 2:15-3:15 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 8:15-9:15 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday For information, call 827-9622.