For the third straight year, St. Clare’s Cardiac Rehab Team was tops in the Hearts of Gold Games sponsored by the Wisconsin Cardiovascular Pulmonary and Health Rehabilitation Society.  A total of 91 cardiac rehab patients from Baraboo, Dodgeville, Columbus, Prairie du Chien, Fort Atkinson, Sauk Prairie, Stoughton and Mauston along with their 20 trainers took part in the games which were held at the HoChunk Wellness Center on April 3. 

St. Clare’s team was not only victorious but also the largest with 26 participants.  John Ellington, Baraboo, was the top overall male medal winner.  First runner up was the Fort Atkinson cardiac rehab team followed by Dodgeville.                                                                        

Nicole Romero, St. Clare Cardiac Rehab staff member, says it is great to see so many cardiac rehab patients participating in Hearts of Gold.  “It's wonderful when our patients are all smiles and grins and tell us they haven't had this much fun in years," says Romero.  "This is exactly why we continue to host the Hearts of Gold Games every year.”

St. Clare’s Cardiac Rehab Coordinator Thorne Wittstruck is the southwest regional representative to the society for the Heart of Gold Games.  He says the purpose of Hearts of Gold is to provide an Olympic style venue in which cardiac rehab patients can compete.  The games include events such as golf, swim, bike, darts, badminton beanbag toss and a healthy recipe bake-off.  There is also a game of healthy knowledge that tests the participants awareness of healthy lifestyle choices.  "Several of these events require the participants to predict the time in which they will complete the activity," said Wittstruck.  "They really have to know their bodies' strength and endurance to predict how long it will take them to go the distance."

Wittstruck added that the HoChunk Wellness Center is a perfect spot to host the Hearts of Gold Games.  "We would be hard pressed to find a better place," he said, "and appreciate their willing support."