The heart of the matter: Local survivor highlights prevention, recovery

February is National Heart Month. The American Heart Association reports the goals of National Heart Month are to promote public education on heart health, encourage lifestyle changes and foster community efforts to reduce the burden of heart disease.

Why is heart health important? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. The Medina County Health Department’s 2024 annual report listed heart disease as the leading cause of death in the county.

The Living Well Medina County 2024 Community Health Assessment indicated that 5.3% of county residents reported a diagnosis of heart disease, slightly higher than the national prevalence rate of 5.2%.

Heart disease is so prevalent that the American Heart Association reports someone in the United States has a heart attack about every 40 seconds. One Medina County resident who survived such a cardiac event is Amy Perkins.

Perkins suffered a heart attack on Mother’s Day weekend in May 2024. She experienced chest pain and right-sided back pain “like a knot in my back.” Women often experience heart attack symptoms differently than men. Symptoms in women may include fatigue, shortness of breath and pain in the back, neck or jaw. Perkins initially did not believe her chest pain was heart-related and associated it with one of her chronic conditions. The chest pain subsided, but the back pain lingered.

The following morning, she experienced severe chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath and vomiting. Perkins was taken to Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital, where she was stabilized and transported by air ambulance to Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. There she underwent a heart catheterization and placement of two stents in the “widowmaker,” an artery that delivers blood and oxygen to the left pumping chamber of the heart.

Perkins was 50 years old at the time of her heart attack. The CDC reports the average age for heart attacks is 65 for men and 72 for women. However, chronic conditions such as lupus, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, early menopause or genetics may contribute to early-onset heart disease in both men and women.

Perkins’ hospital recovery was uneventful, and she was referred to the cardiac rehabilitation program at Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital. During her rehabilitation visits, she met Melissa Thur, RN.

Thur explained that patients referred to cardiac rehabilitation undergo a comprehensive review, and an individualized exercise program is designed to help the heart heal and improve fitness levels. Sessions are held three times a week for 12 weeks and include education on regular exercise, healthy eating and stress reduction.

Thur has worked in cardiac rehabilitation for 17 years and said the biggest hurdle to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is “maintaining motivation.” However, she noted that once patients “discover they feel better with exercise, the motivation kicks in.” When asked what insights she has for maintaining health and well-being, Thur responded, “exercise and olive oil,” citing the benefits of regular aerobic exercise and a Mediterranean diet.

Perkins said she is grateful for the cardiac rehabilitation staff and the support of her family. She has worked hard to improve her health and well-being and said, “I feel great.” With the assistance of the cardiac rehabilitation team, she understands what she needs to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Perkins continues cardiac rehabilitation classes twice weekly to maintain her exercise routine and for the support and sense of community they provide. She said the program “keeps me motivated and accountable.”

Although heart disease is the leading cause of death in Medina County, many dedicated health care professionals are available to help residents adopt healthier lifestyles, reduce the incidence of heart disease and provide support during recovery from a cardiac event.

If you believe you would benefit from cardiac rehabilitation, speak with your physician. For more information about cardiac rehabilitation services at Cleveland Clinic, visit my.clevelandclinic.org/services/cardiac-rehab or call 1-855-358-0087.