Chance was in college, and his father's recovery affected so profoundly that Chance changed his career from engineering to medicine. The goal is for people to slowly work back up to their potential. A compact printer spits out samples periodically that Kurth puts in each patient's file. The man didn't ease up enough. And Kurth became dissatisfied with the EKG readings.
Patients are serious about improvement, but the atmosphere is relaxed and fun.
Former heart patients volunteer and motivate a few when the exercise gets tough. When a nurse checks the blood pressure of a woman on the stepper, it's done with a smile and a laugh. Patients joke with each other. During the two years the rehab center has been open, only about three patients have been transported back to the hospital. Most patients improve quickly, gaining more stamina from aerobic work and strength from the weights in the room.