Stead Health & Fitness Center

Disease prevention and health promotion is key at the Stead Health & Fitness Center. With its staff of experts and state of the art equipment, the Stead Health and Fitness Center is uniquely qualified to meet the needs of both healthy persons and those with particular limitations.

Our 1100 square foot Fitness Center accommodates a variety of state of the art exercise equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. The Fitness Center offers:

• Cybex and Universal weight machines
• StarTrac and Trackmaster treadmills
• Cybex and Schwinn Airdyne stationary cycles and recumbent cycle
• Dumbbells, ankle weights and Exertubes
• Stairmaster

Preventive Care

Genetics and lifestyle are the key contributing factors for heart disease. Although genetic risks cannot be controlled, the American Heart Association believes that 90% of Americans can add months or even years to their lives by managing their lifestyle. By changing behavior they can help control their risk factors such as:

• High Blood Pressure, or Hypertension. Have your blood pressure checked regulary. Proper weight, reduced salt intake, exercise and relaxation sometimes control hypertension. Medication may also be necessary.
• High Cholesterol. Exercise and a healthier diet can help lower cholesterol levels.
• Smoking. Smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack as nonsmokers.
• Lack of Exercise. Regular exercise reduces obesity, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and stress.
• Diabetes. People who have diabetes are at a greater risk for heart attack. It is estimated that half the people who have diabetes aren’t even aware of the fact.

Health Exercise Program
(Physician referral required)

The American Heart Association recommends a regular exercise program for a healthy heart. The Health Exercise Program at the Stead Heart Center provides a clinically supervised exercise program geared to increase exercise capacity and decrease risk factors. Our expertise lies in working with current and past heart patients, diabetics and those with chronic health problems such as osteoporosis and arthritis. The program includes:

• Testing: Treadmill stress testing and cholesterol fractionation for those who qualify.
• Personal training: New members receive a minimum of three personal training sessions.
• Individualized exercise programs with instruction on use of equipment, form and progression.
• Risk factor reduction educational classes
• Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Individual Psychological Counseling

Most insurance companies DO NOT cover the cost of the Health Exercise Program. Current fees are as follows (prices are subject to change without notice):

Cardiac Education Series

A key component to risk factor modification is education. At the Stead Heart Center we offer a Cardiac Education Series. It is very important for all of our cardiac patients to attend our Cardiac Education Series. Community members may also attend. There is no fee for attending our classes. The Cardiac Education classes include the following topics:

• Exercise – Participants will be taught training principles, the components of an exercise program, how to improve each component and the benefits of regular exercise.
  
• Nutrition – Three classes are offered in the area of nutrition. Members will learn about heart healthy eating, how fat and cholesterol impact the heart and vessels, describing and planning a balanced meal, and what the major nutrients do for the body and why we should consume them.
  
• Heart Disease – Most of the classes explain the major risk factors for heart disease. Attendees will learn which risk factors are modifiable and will be given tips on how to decrease specific factors.
  
• Hypertension – This class will educate those with hypertension or those at risk for developing hypertension, about pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure. In addition, members will receive instruction regarding stroke - the causes, signs/symptoms, and the methods of diagnosis and treatment of a stroke.
  
• Stress Management - The importance of stress management in the primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease will be taught in this class. Participants will learn what stress does to the entire body, both physically and psychologically, the heart and vessels specifically and will be given numerous tips on how to decrease and manage stress.
  
• Weight Management – Two classes are offered in this area. Attendees will learn the importance of consuming a variety of nutrients and how to lose weight safely. In addition, members will be instructed in behavior therapy and altering the environment in which they live.
  
• Cardiac Support Group - This class allows adults with cardiac disease, or those at risk of cardiac disease, to share their feelings, needs and concerns with other cardiac patients who may be experiencing the same events. This is a proven therapeutic model for coping and achieving a faster recovery.
  
• Open Forum with M.D. – Patients or those at risk of cardiac disease freely ask questions regarding heart disease pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, medications and cardiac rehabilitation.

The Heart of a Woman

According to the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA), more women die annually of heart disease than of all cancers combined. It was with this devastating statistic that leaders from our hospital chose to develop a women’s heart program in 2003. The Heart of a Woman program offers information on risk factors, lifestyle modification, diet and exercise, as well as support to women in our community. Supported by an expert team of clinicians, the mission of The Heart of a Woman program is a commitment to reduce the incidence of heart disease in all women in our community. The vision of The Heart of a Woman program is to establish a foundation of prevention through education and the message of the most current research.

Diabetes Management Program

The Diabetes Management Program at the Stead Heart Center is a self-management, education program designed to help patients achieve optimal control of blood glucose and lipid levels and avoid or minimize acute and chronic diabetes complications. Program includes:

• Individualized counseling (with physician referral)
• Diabetes classes - a series of three classes that teach self-management skills
• Monthly support group

Weekly educational classes discussing the following topics:

• The diabetes disease process
• Utilizing medications
• Nutritional management
• Incorporating physical activity
• Monitoring blood glucose & urine ketones
• Preventing, detecting and treating acute and chronic complications
• Goal setting and problem solving
• Psychosocial adjustment

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center
Stead Health and Fitness Center
1798 N. Garey Avenue
Pomona, CA 97167
(909) 865-9831