Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital patient shares attitude of gratitude after massive heart attack

ARLINGTON, TEXAS, Nov. 11, 2024 - Rynthia Clements thought she was dealing with the worst case of indigestion she'd ever experienced. Less than an hour later, the heaviness in her chest became unbearable, and the tingling in her left arm was unexplainable. Immediately seeking medical attention, Clements learned what she thought was indigestion was instead a life-threatening cardiac condition.

The retired high school teacher survived a widowmaker heart attack, which happens when the heart's largest artery, the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, has severe blockage. Clements is grateful for the support and renewed confidence she gained after completing cardiac rehabilitation at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital.

It's one of several Texas Health cardiac rehab locations providing Clements and fellow heart attack survivors with specialized, quality care, said Sunita Koshy-Nesbitt, M.D., M.B.A., a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist.

"Educating and empowering individuals on appropriate exercise routines after a cardiac event is a major component to a successful recovery," said Koshy-Nesbitt, who also serves as Texas Health's Hospital Channel chief quality officer and as chief medical and quality officer for Texas Health Physicians Group.* "Through our personalized cardiac rehabilitation programs, Texas Health will continue to provide the necessary resources, along with the comprehensive cardiovascular care, North Texans expect to receive each time they enter our doors."

Recovering after a heart attack

"I still had a heart attack, even though I was very active and could keep up with some individuals half my age," Clements said. "My heart was physically damaged, and I was broken emotionally and mentally too."

Clements' primary care physician, Daniel Naberhaus, M.D. a family medicine physician with Texas Health Physicians Group* and on the Texas Health Arlington Memorial medical staff, advised her that cardiac rehabilitation would provide her with the best opportunity to return to normalcy and help prevent future cardiac events.

"Sometimes we do everything right, and yet bad outcomes are thrown at us," Naberhaus said.

Years ago, Clements lost both her father and brother to heart attacks. Naberhaus said Clements' family history of cardiovascular disease and major blockage in her LAD, which provides 50% of the heart's blood supply, affected her heart function. It also caused extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and resulted in Clements having an extremely low ejection fraction (EF), which is a measurement of how well your heart pumps out blood each time it beats.

A normal EF is between 50% and 75%, and Clements had an EF of 30%, which put her at an increased risk for heart failure.

Seeking support and supervision after a heart attack

Two weeks after a massive heart attack, Clements started 12 weeks of cardiac rehab. The 64-year-old routinely exercised under the supervision of exercise physiologists and nurses, while an EKG monitored her heart's rhythm and rate.

"I had more cords coming out of me than Iron Man, but I knew I was in good hands," Clements said. "Everyone in cardiac rehab was attentive, encouraging, and I felt like they were on my team."

That support extends beyond the physical, said Kanwal Zahid, M.D., an internist on the medical staff and the hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation medical director. All 12 Texas Health cardiac rehabilitation programs include mental health support and are led by physicians on the medical staff, along with a team of nurses, exercise physiologists, therapists and fitness specialists, as well as support from chaplains, registered dietitians and pharmacists.

"Anxiety and depression are common emotions after a cardiac event, and even 15% to 20% of heart attack survivors deal with major depressive disorder," Zahid said. "Understanding the importance of caring for mind and body is critical in the patient recovery process, and with a robust cardiac rehab program and a knowledgeable care team, we're able to do just that."

Living life to the fullest after a heart attack

Now a cardiac rehab graduate, Clements is enjoying life once again, including spending time with her six grandchildren.

"I could have been a burden to my family dealing with health issues, but I was given hope through my faith, my medical team and other cardiac patients," Clements said. "Cardiac rehab was a life-giving experience."

*Physicians employed by Texas Health Physicians Group practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health Resources hospitals.

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