Cardiac recovery: Going beyond cardiac rehab with WakeMed’s Safeway to Fitness

Embarking on a fitness journey doesn't have to be a grueling, punishing experience. Instead, think of it as an exciting adventure where you discover your body's capabilities and learn to move with joy. Through WakeMed's Safeway to Fitness, you can prioritize safety while exploring different activities. The goal isn't to immediately transform into a super athlete, but rather to find movement that feels good, sustainable and, most importantly, fun! Through our program, offered by our dynamic education specialist, Susie Davis, you will learn to listen to your body, celebrate small victories and let the process of getting fitter be a joyful exploration of what your body can achieve.

Safeway to Fitness 

Safeway to Fitness is a supervised adult fitness and wellness program that includes exercise instruction, group and independent aerobic exercise, strength and balance training and flexibility/range of motion exercise. Available at our Raleigh Campus and Cary Healthworks locations, the program also encompasses health education and health promotion, with weekly lectures that cover topics to improve and enhance physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. 

A monthly fee of $84 is required to participate in Safeway to Fitness. Those who pay for six months upfront will enjoy a discounted rate. There is no contract, so patients can join on a monthly basis and cancel at any time. The program is not covered by insurance; however, participants benefit from having a fully staffed medical team available on site in the event of an emergency. 
 

"Each month, I select a health topic and provide weekly lectures with hands-on learning to improve health behaviors. I also host fun and interactive social events, such as the Heart Month Breakfast, and celebrations throughout the year. Occasionally, I bring guest speakers, including physicians, dietitians, chaplains, yoga instructors and even our WakeMed therapy dog, to share their expertise and knowledge. This past year, I collected participant fruit and veggie recipes to make a recipe book. I host "Fun Fit Fridays," and we engage in unique fitness activities, such as the Wheel of Fitness, Prize Drop Your Workout, Roll Your Workout with Dice and Chocolate Meditation. Additionally, stress management is a critical focus involving self-care and human connection."

Susie explains, "Aqua fitness is a relatively new addition to Safeway to Fitness in the past four years, and it pushes participants to challenge themselves physically, offering high intensity workouts in a low impact environment. They all love the benefits from aquatic exercise and are eager for our water days!"

Qualifications for Safeway to Fitness

All people are welcome and qualify for Safeway to Fitness. Some of the participants come in as referrals from WakeMed Cardiac Rehab, Pulmonary Rehab or Physical Therapy. Cardiac Rehab graduates receive three free trial visits to Safeway to Fitness to determine if they'd like to join the program. 

Susie offers, "Spouses of Cardiac Rehab graduates will occasionally want to join in order to participate together. At times, patients will be at Healthworks recovering from another illness, such as stroke, and I'll invite them to join us."

Ultimately, those seeking a supervised adult fitness program, with a solid group in a safe place to exercise and covering all aspects of health, wellness and health promotion should consider Safeway to Fitness. 

Onsite is a crash cart. Nurses are on staff should emergencies arise. Dietitians are available to answer nutrition-related questions.

"The program offers accountability and camaraderie," explains Susie, "without the judgment one might feel at a typical fitness facility. It boasts more of an older adult population. We all inspire each other through our stories, past medical histories and how we got here. For those who have survived a heart event, we celebrate their "heartiversary" on their special, life-changing day."

Long-Term Benefits of Safeway to Fitness

The program boasts a variety of health benefits including:

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Healthier outlook on life, prioritizing healthy habits
• Maintenance of a healthy weight
• Per physician clearance — able to cut back on blood pressure and cholesterol medications
• Coping strategies for stress management
• Lifelong friendships amongst our group
• Established sense of belonging and accountability

Susie glows, "I think for those reasons, they've all thrived. Many share that they are in the best shape of their lives from sticking with the program. Knowing my participants' medical histories, backgrounds, challenges with consistency and genetic factors at play, I am honored that they trust me. They make me a better person every day." 

Meet a Few of our Participants

Harold Coleman

"In 2009, I had a heart attack. I was strolling through the neighborhood with my wife and collapsed. I jumped back up with a bleeding elbow that had skid along the pavement. I then sat down on the curb, confused as to what had happened. My wife called 911, and emergency medical services (EMS) took me to WakeMed Raleigh Campus Emergency Department. Diagnostic testing included an echocardiogram (EKG) and a coronary angiography, and I wound up receiving a bypass surgery from a now retired WakeMed cardiovascular surgeon. Once I was discharged from the hospital, I took a couple of months to recover and then joined WakeMed Cardiac Rehab. Upon graduating from that program, I was introduced to Safeway to Fitness, and I have been participating every Monday, Wednesday and Friday ever since. 

"I'm 80 years old, so the exercises in Safeway to Fitness are not the most strenuous, but they're very thorough, and they cover all parts of the body. We engage in cardio training, strength training and stretching. We do a lot of walking and use exercise equipment. It makes me feel better, stronger and more stable. I don't stumble as much, so I feel more confident walking around.

"I enjoy the program partly because of Susie. It is obvious she enjoys her work and conducts herself in a way that makes the joy of exercising contagious. Anyone considering the program should just try it out." 

Don Griffin

"One day in 2017, I was using a pushcart on my neighborhood golf course. As I went up the hill, I felt a tightness in my chest. I stopped and momentarily couldn't breathe. After five minutes, it went away, and I had no other symptoms for the remainder of the day. The next day, this symptom returned as I was doing the same activity on the course, so I went home. That evening, I saw someone walking on the green and went to talk to him. As I made my way up the hill, I felt the same tightness in my chest and then pain radiating down my left arm. Finally, concerned after three strikes, the next morning, I called my doctor's office to schedule an appointment. The doctor told me to go directly to the emergency room. I went to WakeMed Garner Healthplex Emergency Department. They performed an EKG, administered Nitroglycerin, informed me that I'd had a heart attack and employed WakeMed Mobile Critical Care to transport me by ambulance to WakeMed Raleigh Campus Emergency Department. I was immediately taken to the catheterization lab, where the surgeon discovered a 99 percent blockage. He corrected it by placing a stent. I was discharged from the hospital the next day, began WakeMed Cardiac Rehab — as encouraged by the surgeon — and within two weeks, I was able to get back on the golf course for a tournament. In two months, I successfully completed rehab — under the guidance of many phenomenal therapists. While there, I met Susie Davis, who had been high school classmates with my son. She invited me to Safeway to Fitness, and I've been going ever since. 

"Since starting Safeway to Fitness, and now at age 74, I am as healthy as a horse. I don't have shortness of breath. Other than a bout of atrial fibrillation treated through the WakeMed Atrial Fibrillation Center with an ablation performed by Ashish B. Patel, MD, MPH, FACC, in 2022, I haven't had any additional cardiac issues. 

"I would encourage anyone with interest in a fitness program to consider Safeway to Fitness. Susie does a wonderful job. 

"She was able to add aquatics to our regimen, which has been enjoyable. Susie not only helps us with fitness, but she also helps us understand how to eat well. She's great."

Dane Piper

"March 25, 2016, my family and I were headed to the beach. It was the Good Friday before Easter. All morning, I'd been feeling extreme heaviness as if an elephant were sitting on my chest. Suddenly, while driving, I experienced searing chest pain and broke out in profuse sweat. Since my dad had died from complications of heart disease and diabetes at 67, I was certain I was having a heart attack at just 46 years old. I pulled over, and I asked my wife to drive us to WakeMed Raleigh Campus Emergency Department, which was about a quarter of a mile from where we were on our journey. The care team conducted an EKG as well as four enzyme tests. They transferred me to the WakeMed Heart Center catheterization lab, where the cardiovascular surgeon discovered a 98 percent blockage, capable of producing a widow-maker heart attack. I also had several other lesser blockages. The surgeon and care team determined that the best course of action would be to perform open-heart quadruple bypass surgery. 

"Once I was discharged from the hospital, I spent a few weeks recovering at home, and then I joined WakeMed Cardiac Rehab. Cardiac Rehab was excellent because — not only did I exercise — but I regained my confidence and learned a lot about diet, fitness and heart disease. After graduating two months later, I was invited to try two free sessions of Safeway to Fitness.

"Once in Safeway to Fitness, I was hooked, and I have been attending ever since. Because I acquired heart disease at such a young age, I realize that I could potentially be looking at a shortened lifespan, so I am doing all I can to live a long and healthy life. That's what drives me to keep it up. I have also developed bonds with my classmates and the staff. Our shared near-death experiences help us lean on each other for support like a brotherhood. 

"The most notable benefit I've seen in Safeway to Fitness is that I can wear my college clothes. I've lost 30 pounds since joining in 2016. Also, I'm in the best shape of my life. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat right, exercise daily and implement the education provided by the staff. Susie, as the lead staff member, is a joy. She has built us up, inspired us, pushed us and driven our group to do our best, enabling us to live longer, which is priceless. Cardiac Rehab and Safeway to Fitness employ the best teams I have found to help me manage heart disease. I encourage anyone to join us."

Pete Vangraafeiland 

"In 2017, I had been experiencing difficulty eating, stomach cramps and fluid retention. I visited my internist for a physical, and he informed me that I had a very serious heart murmur, so I was referred to WakeMed cardiologist Marc T. Silver, MD, FACC. Dr. Silver explained that my aortic valve had deteriorated due to a congenital abnormality or an infection, so I would need to have an aortic valve replacement. I was scheduled for surgery in the WakeMed Heart Center with Bryon Boulton, MD, FACS. He carefully explained my options for a swine, mechanical or bovine valve, and I chose a bovine valve. It has held up well throughout the years. Immediately following a successful surgery, I was taken to the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) for recovery. The next morning, I was moved to this very nice room, and I was sitting up in a chair when Dr. Boulton came to check on me. I immediately stood up, firmly shook his hand and told him he did a really good job and that I felt wonderful. He was pleased, and said, 'Oh my goodness. You rebounded quickly. Let's get you out of here. Hospitals are for the sick, and you are not the sick.' I was discharged the next day, and I still chuckle about missing the chef's specials and luxury treatment I'd been eager to enjoy during a four- to five-day hospitalization. 

"The WakeMed Heart & Vascular team followed my outpatient recovery over the next four weeks and brought me in for monitoring appointments to ensure my recovery remained on schedule. I was then referred to WakeMed Cardiac Rehab where I spent two months increasing my stamina and regaining my strength. The workouts made me feel better, both psychologically and physically. Once the program concluded, I was offered a few free visits to consider Safeway to Fitness. Safeway to Fitness is a fantastic operation. Everybody is thoughtful, kind and helpful. I love it, and I have been attending ever since.

"Safeway to Fitness has helped me lose some excess weight and keep it off. I weigh between 162 to 165 pounds at 82 years old. It's also helped me retain my youthful dark hair. I just need a bit more of it. On a more serious note, because of Safeway to Fitness, I feel young, maintain a positive attitude, manage yard work and enjoy an overall rewarding life experience. I look forward to each session. 

"Fitness instructor Susie is our den mother. She kick starts our workouts and helps us remain focused. She takes a personal interest in each of us. If we miss a class, she'll drop a text to make sure we are feeling well. She's wonderful.

"Anyone seeking a fitness program should join us. It becomes part of your life and can also extend your life."

Join Safeway to Fitness!

For registration and information, call Healthworks at 919-350-1700, ext. 13919.

---

About Susie Davis

Serving WakeMed for 23 total years, Susie has been the coordinator and education specialist for Safeway to Fitness for the last 10 years. She previously worked in WakeMed Outpatient Rehabilitation and Corporate and Community Health. Her passion is helping patients make positive changes that they can sustain for a lifetime for optimal health and well-being. 

About Safeway to Fitness

WakeMed Safeway to Fitness is a supervised group exercise program for adults who would like a structured, safe exercise experience.

Graduates of a cardiac rehab program, people recovering from certain procedures and adults who just appreciate the security of knowing that a health professional is present are great candidates for Safeway to Fitness.