Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski Conemaugh Nason Medical Center Patient and Family Advisory Council member Gary More of Entriken checks out a rowing machine following the Conemaugh Nason Cardiac Rehabilitation Center ribbon-cutting on Friday.

ROARING SPRING — Conemaugh Nason Medical Center officially opened its new Cardiac Rehabilitation Center Friday afternoon.

The center — located in the same building as Cardiology Associates of Altoona on Pine Heights Street — offers a customized outpatient program to those with “mild to severe heart problems” and is clinically supervised by specialized nurses, Conemaugh Health System wrote in a release.

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and we’re no exception to that rule here in the Cove,” Conemaugh Nason CEO Tim Harclerode said.

The facility is equipped with treadmills, stationary bikes and free weights that will “aid in the treatment and recovery of cardiac patients,” the release read.

“Before starting the program, patients are evaluated by our cardiac rehab team and individualized treatment plans are developed with the help of our medical director,” said Alison Caddy, the cardiac, rehab, cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary manager.

According to Caddy, the facility can serve 20 patients every 12 weeks, with patients coming two to three times a week for between 26 and 38 sessions.

It offers a more convenient option for those living in and near Roaring Spring, as they won’t have to travel into Altoona for similar services, she said.

“I truly believe in this program and all of the good it’s going to provide to our community,” Caddy said. “A lot of it is patient education on lifestyle, stress management, diet — all of those things. The idea is that once you complete this program, you’re going to have a new set of skills and a new knowledge base to continue to improve your quality of life.”

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.