"It was the best thing I ever did for myself."

Patient Shares How Cardiovascular Rehab Program Impacted His Recovery

November 2021 was a month that changed John Metcalfe’s life forever. At age 55, John suffered a heart attack.

“I was devastated. I never thought this would happen to me, especially not in my 50’s,” said John. “I always considered myself to be a healthy and fit individual. I was quite active with no prior health issues so it was very unexpected.”

Shortly after his heart attack, John was diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease. Tests revealed he had a complete blockage in one artery, and a 70 per cent blockage in the other. After undergoing two surgeries to have stents put in, John enrolled in the Central East Regional Cardiovascular Rehab Program in January 2022.

“It was the best thing I ever did for myself,” explained John. “I was hesitant at first but after speaking with [Central East Regional Cardiovascular Rehab Therapist] Karen Taylor, it sounded interesting and beneficial. It gave me a path to move forward so I made the decision to fully commit myself to the program for six months.”

Karen worked closely with John to customize the program to his specific needs. “Karen guided me every step of the way,” added John. “She provided me with lots of great ideas and suggestions, and we came up with a routine together that allowed me to make progress without ever feeling unsafe. I knew I was in good hands and that I was being closely monitored, which made me feel comfortable trying new things and increasing intensity.”

John’s routine involved a mix of cardio, stretching, and strength-training exercises that intensified progressively throughout his program. “I started off just walking on an indoor treadmill,” recalled John. “By the end of my program, I was running 50 minutes per session on the treadmill and jogging outside. The progress was incredible, and I felt 10 years younger.”

Improvements to his physical activity wasn’t the only success John had during the program. “I realized how much I didn’t know about diet,” he noted. “I could see my health improve inside and out. I looked stronger, my blood pressure was lower, I had better stamina, and I was able to do over 250 minutes of cardio per week by the end of my program.”

Looking back on his journey at the Central East Regional Cardiovascular Rehab Program, John shares his appreciation for those who helped him along the way. “All the staff were amazing. They all made an incredible impact on my recovery, especially Karen,” said John. “She supported me every step of the way without any pressure. She went above and beyond for me and I can’t thank her enough.”

John has continued to thrive in his routine since completing the program in 2022. “I left with the tools I needed to be able to go forward independently,” he said. “It’s been over a year since my heart attack and I’m living a completely normal life and feeling great. What I learned from the program about diet, fitness, and healthy habits are lessons to last a lifetime.”

To learn more about the Central East Regional Cardiovascular Rehab, visit gethearthealthy.ca.