A very special thank you to the cardiac and pulmonary rehab staff for their great service to me and I will be forever
thankful to them. It is an amazing place to safely recover both physically and mentally even years after my initial heart attack. This is the second time this program and the people there have helped me find my way back to a healthier lifestyle.
I had my heart attack in January 2013 and received two stints at that time. In April 2013, I had a double bypass to complete the process. At that time, I weighed 259 pounds and had little idea what I needed to do better. I started cardiac rehab shortly after that surgery.
They helped me understand that to get healthier and understand that exercise and lifestyle changes were the only positive paths forward for me. They were supportive, but challenging and fair. As a result of that Phase II program, I was able to get down to 210 pounds, was eating better and exercising five days a week.
After that I was offered the Phase III program and have been in it ever since. About three months ago I had gotten to gaining weight (233 pounds) and experiencing shortness of breath, so I had to rest if doing more physical exerting exercise.
Nicole from the SSM Health Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab team stopped me after exercise one morning and pointed out concern about my slippage and offered me the opportunity to go back into Phase II for 30 sessions because my infarction fraction was at 35%. She pointed out what I was doing well, but the positive the Phase II program offered me if I was interested. She and her staff helped me realize that part of the issue was depression because of COVID and that I had accepted that I was moving toward the end of life.
I don’t feel like that anymore. They helped me to see what I was doing well, but also how I could and was capable of improving. All of that in a firm, yet supportive way. My exercise program improved, and I was challenging myself again. I was provided with great education from the chronic disease specialist who helped me better understand my heart disease and learn about salt. I met with the dietitian and was introduced to avocados. I did a three day food and liquid intake study, and they adjusted my daily liquid intake. I found the educations material very helpful.
What is most impressive is that someone not only noticed I was slipping but did something about it in a way that engaged me in the process and led to such a positive result.
I now weigh 214 pounds, have taken three inches off my waist and my BMI has dropped by two points and I feel great.
The program and the people are awesome, and we are lucky to have them. It is amazing that it is such a safe place to recover both physically and mentally. I will forever be thankful.
Norman Brickl
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