Heart-to-Heart: Real stories of cardiac rehab

Through cardiac rehab, Erik built new strength, awareness, and the confidence he needed to fully recover.

“I keep going because of my grandkids. Grandma’s not ready to go yet!”

Miss Margaret had a widowmaker heart attack, and they weren’t sure if she’d make it.

Her doctor told her she had to do cardiac rehab. He put in a referral, and a cardiac rehab program reached out to her. “I don’t exercise,” she admits. “You can ask my family, mom, brother, husband, nope.’ But Margaret took that leap, and today, her grandkids sometimes struggle to keep up with her.

“I played football from eight years old until my late 20s.“

Mr. Maxzell had a long heart health journey spanning over two decades. What started as subtle signs: unexpected weight loss, mild symptoms, turned into a fight for his health, including heart failure and A life-saving surgery to implant a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD).

Cardiac rehab presented unexpected challenges and opportunites for this self-proclaimed gym rat. The support he got from his cardiac rehab team and the LVAD friends he met along the way have inspired Maxzell to give back to anyone who may be afraid of their next step.