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(Hyannis, Sept. 27, 2016) – Patients recovering from a heart attack or cardiovascular surgery are stepping up their cardiac rehabilitation with help from Cape Cod Healthcare and Koko FitClub. Koko FitClub has donated funds to purchase Fitbits this year for each patient enrolled in a healthy challenge called “Fit for Life,” during Phase II of the Cape Cod Healthcare Heart and Vascular Institute’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program in Hyannis. Phase II is the time after which the patient has been released from the hospital after surgery and is beginning follow-up outpatient rehabilitation. The Fitbits give patients an easy and reliable way to track their steps on a daily basis, in addition to receiving clinical monitoring through the rehab program. “We want our patients to take their education and training to heart,” said Dr. Elissa Thompson, cardiologist and medical director of Cape Cod Healthcare’s Cardiac Rehab Program in Hyannis. Every patient who participates in Fit for Life will receive a free, 30-day trial membership to Koko FitClub in Centerville. The patient who records the most steps wins the club’s premier coaching membership for one month. “Taking control over one’s good health requires a long-term commitment,” said Dr. Thompson. “We appreciate partners like Koko FitClub, who are also committed to helping patients on their road to recovery as they learn new life strategies and life skills for a healthy mind and body.” A recent study has shown that outcomes among cardiac rehab patients improve when they have the opportunity to access their own progress with personal fitness tracking devices, according to Dr. Thompson. The research gave her the idea to give each patient a Fitbit to make rehab more enticing and long-lasting. “We are happy to support these patients every step of the way as they move through their final phase of rehab to enjoy a healthier life,” said Tim Calise, co-owner of Koko FitClub of Cape Cod. “It is our hope that patients will eventually achieve a higher level of performance than they had prior to surgery,” added Ashley Calise, co-owner of Koko FitClub of Cape Cod. Cape Cod Healthcare’s Cardiac Rehab Program in Hyannis expects to serve over 250 patients this year. Cape Cod Healthcare is the leading provider of healthcare services for residents and visitors of Cape Cod. With more than 450 physicians, 4,500 employees and 1,100 volunteers, Cape Cod Healthcare has two acute care hospitals, the Cape’s leading provider of homecare and hospice services (VNA), a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, an assisted living facility, the Cape’s only local laboratory service and numerous health programs. For more information, visit Cape Cod Healthcare’s web site at www.capecodhealth.org. Cape Cod Healthcare. Visit our health news site www.onecapehealthnews.com for the latest in relevant and credible healthcare news. Koko FitClub Cape Cod is the alternative to the mainstream, one-size- fits-all approach to fitness. Locally owned and operated, with a focus on individualized coaching, Koko FitClub Cape Cod is the first and only gym in the area to combine individualized coaching with patented technology to create a proven training system that delivers coaching to every client, every time they workout. Koko’s Smartraining methodology uses the latest in exercise science and technology to tailor workouts and nutrition plans to the individual. For more information or to learn about Koko's 30 day no-risk trial, visit Koko FitClub's website at www.kokofitclub.com