Saint Joseph's vascular rehabilitation program

Although cardiac rehabilitation has been a long-standing part of the cardiac recovery program, vascular rehabilitation has now gained national recognition for the benefits it brings to individuals with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Saint Joseph's introduced Atlanta’s first vascular rehabilitation program in 2004 to help patients with PVD attain their highest functional capability and to halt or reverse the risk factors contributing to the disease.

To help prevent and broaden awareness of the risks of PVD, the Institute offers:

• Knock out Nicotine – a free, public smoking cessation program offering education and peer support.
• Stroke and cardiovascular screening – offered monthly at Saint Joseph’s to the public (minimal fees may apply).  Screenings may include carotid ultrasound, ankle-bracial index, stroke evaluation (carotid bruit assessment, modified 3-lead EKG and one-on-one consultation with a nurse or dietician).  Plus, “Take Heart” screenings offer triglyceride and cholesterol checks, risk factor assessment, BMI and blood pressure evaluation.
• Dare to Care – a free, comprehensive screening program to identify vascular disease. Dare to Care checks for carotid disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral vascular disease and other indicators of vascular problems.  Attendees attend a physician-led lecture on vascular disease and consult with a Saint Joseph’s vascular surgeon to discuss screening results.