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Victory Stories
OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital
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Cabinet Maker
Metamora, IL
I am 41 years old, married and have
three kids 15, 12, and 8 years. I am a self employed, custom cabinet
maker, owning and operating a wood-working company for over twenty
years.
On August 29, 2007, while I was at work, I began having pain in my
back, between the shoulder blades. The pain quickly moved to my
chest and became very intense. After about 5 minutes, I began to
think "Heart Attack." I took my pulse, knowing I run in the upper
80s. When my pulse was only 60, I drove myself to Metamora's
Ambulance building for help.
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Upon arrival at OSF Saint
Francis, we were met by a large number of medical staff and
my cardiologist. Within 48 minutes of arrival, I was on my
way to intensive care with a stint in place and very little
damage done to my heart. I cannot say enough about the quick
response and treatment that I received during this critical
moment in my life.
I started Phase II rehab about two weeks after my heart
attack and returned to work at about the same time. Rehab
was a great way to get back on my feet and get a new
exercise routine started. I have changed my diet some and
now walk 2 1/4 miles four to five times a week.
My heart attack was caused by a blood clot in my right
coronary artery. I am 40 years old, weigh 135 pounds, am a
non-smoker and had no warning signs ahead of time. Only one
grandparent from both sides of my family had heart problems.
posted 04/07/2008
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Administrative Assistant
Mackinaw, IL
Life Story
Heart disease is very prevalent in my family history. My father
passed away at 47 of a major heart attack and my mother underwent
cardiac bypass surgery. All of my parents’ siblings (a total of 15
aunts and uncles) have passed away as a result of heart disease.
I started taking cholesterol medicine about 6-7 years ago and I
thought it was inevitable that I would have a heart attack some day
-- I wanted to change the statistics.
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Last year, I changed my eating
habits and started an exercise program. I went to a personal
trainer who sat down with me and we discussed what I needed
to do to change my ‘bad’ habits. It truly boils down to
accountability. We need to take accountability of ourselves
to be the best that we can be.
I started a diet regimen that consisted of 5-6 small
meals/day and was introduced to weight training. My trainer
encouraged me every step of the way. Over the past year I’ve
lost 35 pounds, my cholesterol has decreased to the point
where my physician took me off all medications, and I
exercise regularly.
Healthy Heart = Helps Prevent Heart Disease
posted 04/03/2008
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Case Management Supervisor, RN, MSN
Germantown Hills, IL
In the late summer of 2006, I began
experiencing intermittent chest pain during strenuous exercise and
while pushing a lawn mower. Initially, I did not recognize it as
“chest pain,” as it was very mild.
But, because I have a strong family history of cardiac disease, I
contacted my primary care physician.. Both of my parents, my only
brother (at age 41) and my oldest sister have had coronary artery
disease requiring intervention. I had been taking steps to stay
healthy: regular exercise, watching my diet, trying to manage my
daily stressors. Despite all these efforts, my symptoms were taken
quite seriously by my primary care physician, who ordered labs and a
nuclear stress test.
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Within a week, I was referred to and seen by a cardiologist. Despite
an inconclusive stress test, he felt my symptoms and family history
warranted a cardiac angiogram. That test revealed significant
coronary artery occlusion. Under the caring and gifted hands of my
heart surgeon, I had a triple coronary bypass on Oct. 17, 2006,
three months after my 50th birthday.
I spent the next three months recovering from the surgery, and I
participated in our incredible Phase II Cardiac Rehab program. I was
able to return to my position as a supervisor in Case Management 11
weeks following my surgery. I tell my victory story to encourage
each of my OSF co-workers to take advantage of all the ChooseHealth!
programs available. Although some risk factors, such as genetics and
age, cannot be controlled, there are many that can. Whether it's a
Personal Wellness Profile, weight management, managing your stress
or HeartMath, these programs help and support our employees to be in
the best health
they can be.posted 04/03/2008
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