HONESDALE, PA — Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Wayne County. Nadine Greco, director of Wayne Memorial Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program appears before the commissioners each year to remind everyone about the importance of the prevention of, and rehabilitation following, heart issues.

Greco said that more than a third of the population, 121 million Americans, have some cardiac disease. That number has increased as authorities have reduced the minimum numbers indicating high-blood pressure. These numbers can be reduced through lifestyle changes—some as simple as a brisk 30-minute walk, five times a week—as well as medication.

Most of those clients at the cardiac rehab program have histories of heart problems or procedures. Peter Wynne, 78, is an example of cardiac surgery patient who has recovered and stayed with the program for the past five years. “My B/P today was 117/60 and this program is keeping me alive,” he said.

The Wayne County Commissioners on February 7 proclaimed the week of February 10 to 16 as Cardiac Rehabilitation Week.