The heart care kits are used to monitor patients' progress after they are discharged from the hospital, with both English and Spanish versions being offered.
Lake Wales resident Andrew Warner, who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure about a year ago, is one of the patients who received the kit. He said he’s been using it every day since he got it in early February.
DAVENPORT, Fla.,
— Heart failure patients at AdventHealth Lake Wales are taking control of their health and recovery outside of the hospital, with the help of free health supply kits. This is part of a new program working to address one of the region's most urgent health care challenges: heart failure.
The heart care kits are used to monitor patients' progress after they are discharged from the hospital, with both English and Spanish versions being offered. The kits include a weight scale, automatic blood pressure device, instructions for home blood pressure measurements, fluid measuring bottle, pill organizer and pulse oximeters. The kits were funded by the AdventHealth Polk Foundation.
Before they are discharged, patients are given detailed heart failure education by the registered nurses and the heart failure team. As part of the outreach program, patients also get frequent calls from the heart failure team who monitor patients in the program to check in on how they’re doing and review the data they’ve recorded.
A similar program launched about two years ago at AdventHealth Sebring reduced patient re-admission rates by eight percent.
Lake Wales resident Andrew Warner, who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure about a year ago, is one of the patients who received the kit. He said he’s been using it every day since he got it in early February.
“I do exactly what I’m supposed to do. I weigh myself in the morning, I check my blood pressure and all that. It’s been really good for keeping track of everything,” Warner said.
Warner said he enjoys living an active life which includes a love of traveling, when he’s not working a variety of jobs in Warner University’s cafeteria, which include cooking, another passion of his.
“I would absolutely recommend them (the kits) to others because I think you get a better idea of how things are going, and you feel a little bit more comfortable with it when you’re able to correctly monitor it,” Warner said. “I think a lot of people would like to have the peace of mind to monitor themselves and not have to go to the hospital unless they need to.”
The launch of this new program at the AdventHealth Lake Wales comes as heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States and Florida. According to the most recent data available from the Florida Department of Health, the rate of deaths from heart disease In Polk County in 2023 was about 145 per 100,000 people. That was higher than the state average of about 135 per 100,000 people.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer these kits as a part of treatment plans for our cardiac patients. Our team is dedicated to engaging patients in their own heart health and increasing their success,” said Tanya Smith, senior nurse manager at AdventHealth Lake Wales. “Our commitment to whole-person care and excellence extends beyond the walls of our hospital as we strive to improve the health and well-being of our entire community.”
In February, AdventHealth Lake Wales added its first cardiologist, Dr. Saiyed Mohib, who is accepting new patients in Lake Wales at the AdventHealth Medical Group General Surgery Office, at 423 Linden Lane.
With more than 20 years of experience in cardiology, Dr. Mohib is an expert in assessing and preventing heart attacks and other heart-related diseases. He offers nutritional counseling and lifestyle modification plans that assist patients with improving their health overall. He also specializes in using minimally invasive techniques to open blocked arteries and restore blood flow to the heart, reducing the risk of heart attack. He’s also experienced in treating a wide range of heart rhythm disorders, including atrial fibrillation and tachycardia, using medications, devices and procedures such as ablation to restore a normal heart rhythm.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Mohib, please visit AdventHealth Medical Group General Surgery at Lake Wales or call Call863-679-2707. You can also learn more about the cardiac care options at AdventHealth Lake Wales by going to Heart Care | AdventHealth Lake Wales | Formerly Lake Wales Medical Center.