HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital recently celebrated the grand opening of its expanded Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, which has moved into a newly-renovated building. 

• The new facility is located at 1020 Titan Court Suite 101, and is more than double the size of the previous location, coming in at 2,300 square feet. 
• The facility includes a gym with upgraded equipment, an exam room, two patient treatment rooms, and two changing rooms.

Cardiac rehabilitation at the hospital is an outpatient program designed to help patients who have suffered from a heart attack, undergone cardiac surgery, or received a qualifying diagnosis from a physician. The program involves monitored exercise sessions and nutritional counseling, as well as stress management, emotional support, and education to help patients develop a healthier lifestyle.

“This is such an important part of the treatment of the patients – just as important as some of the medications we prescribe,” said Dr. Juan Zarate, cardiologist and medical director for the hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center.

Jose Garcia, a 78-year-old patient, recently completed the program after undergoing quadruple heart bypass surgery at the hospital in July. The retired Air Force veteran, who enjoys playing golf, spent nearly 20 years on various medications and had previously received five heart stents to open clogged arteries. 

“When I started playing golf, I was playing up to five days a week,” Garcia said. “Then later on, I was only playing three days a week, and it was too much. I was getting so tired.”

After completing the Cardiac Rehabilitation program, Garcia is back to playing golf five days a week. 

• “I’m feeling great. I just left the golf course,” he said. “Everyone did a phenomenal job taking care of my 78-year-old body and making me feel brand new!”