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10 programs at Virtua to get- and stay- heart-healthy

Staying heart-healthy isn't hard to do when you've got Virtua to help. Check out these 10 ways you can stay heart-healthy at Virtua. 1. The Virtua Quitcenter The American Heart Association estimates that cigarettes are responsible for up to a third of all deaths from heart disease in the United States. Smoking increases your risk of heart disease when you smoke as few as four cigarettes a day. Chronic exposure to secondhand smoke also raises your risk of heart and cardiovascular disease. Quit smoking, and slash your heart-disease risk in a very short time. Virtua Health's Quitcenter will help you find the necessary support to start a smoke-free life. The Quitcenter's six-week smoking cessation program is based on 15 years of clinical and scientific research. The program includes an individual assessment, support groups, education on living without tobacco, weekly carbon monoxide monitoring, and reduced prices on the nicotine patch and nicotine gum. 2. Weight reduction surgery According to the American Heart Association, too much fat — especially in your waist area — can make you more susceptible to health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. But did you know that losing just 10 percent of your body weight can begin to lower your risk for heart disease. And, Virtua can help. The New Beginnings program at Virtua is an intensive pre- and post-operative support program required for all weight-loss surgery patients at Virtua. The staff at New Beginnings includes a behavior therapist, nurses and dietitians who work closely with patients to provide ongoing support. Supervised exercise training sessions are an optional element, provided at Virtua's state-of-the-art William G. Rohrer Center for HealthFitness. Read how Julie Travis lost weight - and kept it off - with Virtua's New Beginnings Program. 3. FitSmart If you've struggled to lose weight and improve your fitness level, you're not alone. Every year, millions of Americans try to lose weight — and blame themselves when they don't. They shouldn't. That's because most fad diets supply you with everything except a chance to succeed. Read about Virtua's FitSmart program and learn how you can get heart-healthy in just 12 weeks. 4. Virtua's Accredited Chest Pain Center Pain in your chest is a symptom no one should ever ignore. And, Virtua's fully accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, means Virtua provides the highest level of quality care to patients in emergency situations and meets national guidelines on a consistent basis. Learn more about Virtua's Chest Pain Center . 5. Cardiac Rehabilitation If have heart disease, give yourself the edge you need to improve your cardiovascular health and lead a heart healthy lifestyle. Virtua's Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs in Mt. Laurel and Voorhees promote recovery, independence and education. This is accomplished through an exercise program (using equipment such as treadmills, bicycles and arm strengthening machines) and teaching. Virtua's cardiac rehabilitation programs are accredited by the American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. 6. Heart and Soul Looking for some support from others living with heart disease? Heart and Soul is a professionally facilitated support group. Education & information aimed at improving & maintaining cardiac health. Together we solve problems, share emotions, adjustment & advice. Physicians and other experts speak frequently. Call 1-888-Virtua-3 to learn more or to register. 7. Cardiac catheterization (angioplasty) services Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic tool used by heart specialists (or cardiologists) to evaluate the heart. Virtua has two cardiac catheterization labs at Virtua Marlton and Virtua Memorial. Cardiac catheterization is an important method for detecting a range of heart problems. Specifically, the test enables physicians to view your coronary arteries, which supply the heart with blood and oxygen. To learn more about cardiac catheterizations, and to watch a video about how an emergency angioplasty saved one South Jersey man's life, click here. 8. MUSE system for cardiac diagnoses Virtua is the first in the greater Philadelphia area and in the entire state of New Jersey to offer General Electric (GE) MUSE — a fully-digital, wireless system that transmits and stores a patient's electrocardiogram (EKG) data for immediate retrieval anytime, anywhere. This means, if you come to Virtua and have a test performed, your cardiologist will be able to review the results with the click of a mouse while providing a faster diagnosis than previously available. Learn more about GE MUSE. 9. Stress Reduction From relaxing yoga workouts, to massage therapy and fitness classes designed to help you "sweat it out," the William G. Rohrer Center for HealthFitness can help you de-stress, while losing weight, toning up and having fun. 10. Sleep Care Centers People with sleep apnea periodically stop breathing while they sleep. They experience loud snoring and awaken through the night, which leads to daytime fatigue. Sleep apnea can be life threatening. And, if left untreated, sleep apnea can increase a person's risk for high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke. Virtua offers medical evaluation and diagnostic testing for sleep disorders at sleep centers in Marlton, Mt. Holly and Cherry Hill. For more information call 1-888-Virtua-3.