March 12, 2024
In-home recovery restores harmony to life
Colorado musician back with the band thanks to new virtual cardiac rehab program.
KP Medicare Advantage member Arlene Lehman shows off a smartwatch provided by our virtual cardiac rehab program.
Arlene Lehman loves to play the keyboard and sing. She even plays in a local band. One day during practice there was the usual music in the air, but there was also trouble in her heart.
She felt unusually tired after practice and later had trouble breathing. She was having a heart attack and was soon on her way to the hospital.
My Kaiser Permanente team made me feel that it was a new start, a new lease on life. I feel stronger and healthier and I’m enjoying life more than ever. Arlene Lehman
After surgery to address blockages and blood clots, Lehman became one of the first patients to enroll in Kaiser Permanente’s virtual cardiac rehabilitation program in Colorado.
Kaiser Permanente of Colorado launched the program in August 2023 and soon dozens of members were completing most of their recovery at home.
“I had a choice either to go into Kaiser Permanente each week or to go once to get a stress test and an assessment and then do it virtually,” said Lehman, a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage member. “I chose to do it virtually to save the time and the effort and the gas money.”
Sticking with the recovery plan
Lucas Marzec, MD, medical director of the Kaiser Permanente program in Colorado, says in-home rehab is a better option for many patients to regain and maintain heart health.
“We know that cardiac rehab is effective. However, most eligible people don't participate for a number of reasons,” said Dr. Marzec. “And Kaiser Permanente research has found that patients who participate in virtual cardiac rehab are far more likely to complete the program than those who participate in traditional in-person programs.”
And Kaiser Permanente research has found that patients who participate in virtual cardiac rehab are far more likely to complete the program than those who participate in traditional in-person programs. Lucas Marzec, MD
Across Kaiser Permanente, more than 80% of patients who join the home-based program complete it, compared to a national average of less than 50%. Patients in the program are readmitted to the hospital for cardiac issues at a rate of less than 2%, compared to 10% to 15% for most programs.
A personal and virtual connection to care
Participants are sent home with a smartwatch, a remote blood pressure cuff, and a personalized exercise and diet plan. Data from the watch and the blood pressure cuff goes to their care team via an app on their smartphone.
“We meet once a week virtually and we go over any concerns that I have,” said Lehman. “And I'm wearing a smartwatch, so they have access to my blood pressure, my heart rate, my oxygen level, all my vital signs daily. And we go over anything that they see that they're concerned about.
They counsel me on nutrition, on exercise. I hate to exercise, but I have an exercise program they designed especially for me, and it's very motivational.”
Singing a healthy tune
Thanks to her Kaiser Permanente care team and her personal commitment to her healthy lifestyle, Lehman is back to the things she loves including playing and singing with the band.
“I feel like I have a new lease on life. I felt so damaged afterwards, I thought, oh, this happened and my life is over. And it wasn't over,” she said. “My Kaiser Permanente team made me feel that it was a new start, a new lease on life. I feel stronger and healthier and I’m enjoying life more than ever.”
For more information, please visit Kaiser Permanente’s cardiac rehabilitation and recovery services.
