Bert Kinzey went out for New York-style pizza with a friend. Later that evening, he complained of heartburn and took some antacids. The antacids weren’t working, and a neighbor made him go to the emergency room. It was in the ER that Kinzey learned that his pain was much more than heartburn; he was experiencing a heart attack. That was last June.
Kinzey started cardiac rehabilitation at Piedmont Fayette Hospital about 3 weeks after his severe heart attack. “The Fayette cardiac rehab team members are my ‘cardiac angels,’” says Kinzey. “They are very caring, wonderful people. Rehabilitation is the best thing in the world you can do for yourself.”
The heart attack affected Kinzey both physically and emotionally and he credits rehabilitation for getting him on the long road to recovery. He participated in one-hour rehab sessions, three days a week for 12 weeks. Kinzey’s cardiac rehab included arms and leg exercises, weights, and working on the rower and bikes when appropriate. He continues rehabilitative therapy today.
“When I started, I couldn’t get out of bed before noon I was so weak. Encouragement by the rehab nurses helped. It was what I looked forward to each day, because when you are that weak, some people just give up,” said Kinzey. “You feel like rehab will make you feel better. That helps with emotional side, and that’s really what worked so well for me.”
Kinzey encourages others experiencing similar symptoms to heed the warning signs of the onset of a heart attack. “Don’t ignore the pain or try to self-medicate,” warned Kinzey. His doctors were amazed that he had survived such a major heart attack, and he says he damaged his heart by waiting so long to get treatment.
“Individuals need to learn the signs of a heart attack. Piedmont Fayette Hospital is hosting a healthy heart fair, which is a good opportunity to get information about heart disease and to participate in health screenings that complement care by your own physician,” said Donna Callahan, clinical lead, cardiac rehab at PFH.
As part of Heart Health Month this February, Piedmont Fayette Hospital will be hosting a Healthy Heart Fair Saturday, Feb. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol, glucose and body mass index screenings will be offered to attendees. No registration is required to attend the Health Fair, but attendees must register to take glucose and cholesterol screenings by calling Link2Health toll-free at 1-866-900-4321.
Piedmont Fayette cardiologist Thippeswamy H. Murthy, M.D., will present a free informational program at 10 a.m., stressing the importance of good heart health. Registration is required to attend by calling Link2Health. The Health Fair will be held in Building 1279 on the third floor at 1279 Highway 54 West, just west of the main hospital.
Still recovering but ever persisting, Kinzey says that he has come a long way, but it is still a long road back from such a severe heart attack. “I’m only part way down that road to recovery, but I couldn’t have done it without the help of Piedmont Fayette’s cardiac rehab team.”
