Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is the leading cause of hospitalization in seniors. In CHF, also called Chronic Heart Failure, the heart is weakened and cannot pump blood effectively.

CHF is not a death sentence, but it must be treated early and effectively. A variety of medications, including beta-blockers, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors are used in treatment of CHF, but lifestyle changes are also important. In fact, lifestyle changes can even reverse CHF.

What are the lifestyle changes that can make a difference? Eliminating tobacco and alcohol, restricting salt, being physically active, getting adequate amounts of quality sleep, and managing stress are important. However, they are easier listed than done. Unlearning bad habits built over a lifetime is no easy task.

The best way to establish these therapeutic lifestyle changes? According to an article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, cardiac rehabilitation programs improve both quality-of-life and clinical outcome in patients with CHF.

A cardiac rehabilitation program such as the program offered at the NJ Heart and Lung Center will™ includes carefully guided exercise, as well as extensive support for therapeutic lifestyle changes.

While it was once thought that exercise was bad for people with CHF, today we know the answer is more nuanced. In order to help, not harm, a CHF patient, the exercise must be carefully controlled and monitored by knowledgeable therapists, who communicate regularly with the patient’s doctors.

A team approach, that incorporates physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, social workers, and other healthcare personnel, is proven to be the most effective way to help people with CHF effect all the changes required to lead a healthy life.

At the NJ Heart and Lung Center™ of Regency Jewish Heritage, you will have an individualized plan, proven to prevent readmission to the hospital, and to improve your independence.  

Regency Jewish has partnered with the area's leading cardiologists and pulmonologists to create a program that:   

• Reduces hospital readmissions and patient length of stay
• Maximizes ability for patient to regain ADL skills and independence
• Offers 24/7/365 physician coverage through on-site staff and advanced telemedicine program
• Has an on-site sleep study program to unlock Medicare benefit for Bipap utilization upon discharge
• Offers STAT availability of Labs, X-Ray and other diagnostic tools

Our Outcomes & Capabilities include: 

• Cardiologist and pulmonologist on site daily for immediate intervention
• Specialized rehab & nursing protocols developed in partnership with leading cardiologists & pulmonologists
• A plan proven to prevent readmission to the hospital and improve patient independence and functionality
• Regular Communication Between Patient, Family, Staff & Physicians
• Collaborative care planning with other physician & therapy specialists
• Advanced staff education & training
• Transitional care nurse & enhanced discharge-to-home process
• Follow-up home visit within 24-48 hours
• Educational material provided to patients & families

Regency prides itself on offering the very best of care in a patient-centered environment. This means always listening to our residents and patients and respecting their capabilities, while helping them to achieve maximum functionality and independence. And always maintaining the highest professional and quality standards in our staff and our facilities. Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.   Contact us by clicking here.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, and people are immediately concerned if they have any unusual feeling in their chest. Palpitations, the medical terms for the heart’s fluttering, skipping a beat, or beating very hard or very fast, can occur for many reasons.

1. Alcohol commonly causes a “racing” heartbeat.
2. Caffeine, which is found in soda, chocolate, and tea, as well as in coffee, also causes heart palpitations.
3. Medications, that are taken with meals can sometimes raise one’s heart rate. In particular, decongestants, asthma inhalers, diet pills, and allergy medications have been associated with palpitations. Medications that contain phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine are particular triggers.
4. Some herbal supplements taken at meal times, such as bitter orange, ephedra, ginseng, hawthorn, and valerian are known to affect heart rate.
5. Many people will have a cigarette before or after a meal, which can trigger heart palpitations.
6. Heavy meals, especially those that include large amounts of sugar, fat, sodium, MSG, or carbohydrates, can bring on heart abnormalities.

 If you have symptoms of a heart attack, however, you should seek immediate medical attention, and not assume it was something you ate.

 However, you should consider keeping a food diary if you find that you often have non-heart-disease-related heart palpitations after meals, with the palpitations going away afterwards. Something you are doing at mealtimes may be causing the problem.

Your healthcare provider will be able to help you assess whether your problem is your heart or your dinner.

Regency Jewish Heritage has partnered with the area's leading cardiologists and pulmonologists to form The NJ Heart and Lung Center

Our program:

• Reduces hospital readmissions and patient length of stay
• Maximizes ability for patient to regain ADL skills and independence
• Offers 24/7/365 physician coverage through on-site staff and advanced telemedicine program
• Has an on-site sleep study program to unlock Medicare benefit for Bipap utilization upon discharge
• Offers STAT availability of Labs, X-Ray and other diagnostic tools

Our Outcomes & Capabilities include:

• Cardiologist and pulmonologist on site daily for immediate intervention
• Specialized rehab & nursing protocols developed in partnership with leading cardiologists & pulmonologists
• A plan proven to prevent readmission to the hospital and improve patient independence and functionality
• Regular Communication Between Patient, Family, Staff & Physicians
• Collaborative care planning with other physician & therapy specialists
• Advanced staff education & training
• Transitional care nurse & enhanced discharge-to-home process
• Follow-up home visit within 24-48 hours
• Educational material provided to patients & families

We offer the very best of care in a patient-centered environment. This means always listening to our residents and patients and respecting their capabilities, while helping them to achieve maximum functionality and independence. And always maintaining the highest professional and quality standards in our staff and our facilities. Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.

Contact us by clicking here.