danceATTACK^® is the first phase three cardiovascular rehabilitation and disease prevention program based upon traditonal ballroom dance.  danceATTACK^® was created for patients diagnosed and treated for heart disease and related illnesses.  It provides an exciting adjunct to traditional cardiac rehab and exercise.  This innovative program is available to patients who desire to continue their cardiac rehab with physician referral following completion of a phase 2 program.

The Program

This visionary program consists of 14 levels of dance. Cardiac patients will gain the aerobic benefits of continuous movement using all ballroom dance styles. Each level is 50 minutes in length and consists of:

• Warm up
• 23 minutes of continuous dancing
• Cool down
• Management of cardiac risk factors
• Smoking cessation guidance
• Nutritional counseling for healthy food choices

We encourage patients and their partners for dance sessions three times a week. If no partner is available, we will happily provide one. Our program works at your level, and comfortably progresses through increased levels of intensity. We keep your doctor involved at every dance step of the way, as we measure vital signs throughout each 4-week session, and with their recommendation of intensity.

The Research

Research presented by Dr. Romualdo Belardinelli, (Director of the Lancisi Heart Institute in Ancona, Italy) demonstrated the positive effect of ballroom dance on cardiovascular recovery and overall cardiovascular improvement. The study results were reported at the American Heart Association Scientific Meeting in 2006 in Chicago and sited by CNN, USA Today, NPR, WebMD, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, Fox News and AARP.

Research has also shown that participating in dance programs with patients having similar conditions is therapeutic physically, psychologically, emotionally and decreases depression.

Sources

American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2006, Chicago, Nov. 12-15, 2006. Romualdo Belardinelli, MD, professor of cardiology, Università Politecnica delle Marche School of Medicine; director of cardiac rehabilitation and prevention, Lancisi Heart Institute, Ancona, Italy.