Healthy Stories: Joe Gets Healthier After a Heart Attack
Healthy Stories: Joe Gets Healthier After a Heart Attack
In the immediate aftermath of heart surgery, Joe Servick followed a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation routine that involved exercise and nutrition counseling. He says, “My life has changed for the better.”
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0.036 -> >> My name is Joe Servick.
2.446 -> I'm 38 years old.
3.866 -> I live in DeForest, Wisconsin
with my wife and three children.
7.536 -> I thought there was something wrong when
I laid there with the pain in my back
14.126 -> and the nervousness, the jitters.
17.986 -> And I told my friends that
I was having a heart attack.
23.326 -> They didn't believe me.
26.566 -> They're like you're not having a heart attack.
29.646 -> You're too young for a heart attack.
31.326 -> My one friend's mother works at UW.
35.216 -> We called her.
36.426 -> She said call 911 and that's what we did.
41.416 -> When EMS arrived, they confirmed
that I was having a heart attack
45.286 -> and rushed me to UW as fast as they could.
50.516 -> [ Music ]
60.066 -> >> Joe first came to UW Health
when he was having a heart attack.
64.606 -> He underwent a life-saving procedure
to open up his coronary arteries,
68.136 -> but equally important is the
cardiac rehabilitation he went
71.376 -> through after he was discharged
from the hospital.
73.516 -> The first and most important part of cardiac
rehabilitation is monitored exercise.
77.896 -> >> As an exercise physiologist, I look at
responses to exercise to develop an initial
83.116 -> and manageable exercise prescription
and then gradually progress the exercise
86.646 -> so that we can get to those
goals that we're looking for.
89.966 -> >> The goal was to just get the heart rate up.
91.846 -> We started out small with just some walking
and some bike riding and grew it from there
98.176 -> to where I was able to run for
20 minutes, bike for 20 minutes.
103.606 -> The goal was to do that for an hour each day.
106.356 -> >> Another important part of cardiac
rehabilitation is nutritional therapy.
110.216 -> >> UW Health is great because we have
such a good team with the doctors
114.106 -> and exercise physiologist and
dietitians all in one area.
117.476 -> We work one-on-one with patients
as well as teaching classes.
121.456 -> When I first met Joe, we did a
nutrition assessment and just looked
125.676 -> at what he ate and what he drank.
127.966 -> He really didn't eat till later in the day.
130.146 -> We just got him on a breakfast plan.
132.586 -> He took it right away and was starting
to feel better and losing weight
136.816 -> with the exercise and the motivation kept going.
139.566 -> >> At this point, I feel that things
are on par with the way it should be.
145.606 -> I lift weights, ride bike,
treadmill, so I can walk or run.
151.056 -> I also try and get my kids involved as well.
153.616 -> I generally eat better than what we were.
155.786 -> >> Our cardiac rehabilitation program
really is a leader in the country.
159.116 -> People look to us for innovative
ways to help patients live longer
163.186 -> and feel better after their heart attacks.
165.386 -> >> Joe is doing really well with his nutrition.
167.226 -> He is focusing on increasing fruits and
vegetables, continuing to eat breakfast,
171.556 -> and limiting sugar sweetened beverages and
working it into his exercise plan as well.
176.246 -> >> So I think Joe is doing extremely well.
178.756 -> And I think he has a very good chance
of avoiding future heart problems.
182.896 -> >> As a result of my care at UW Health and
with the UW Health staff, my life has changed
191.496 -> for the better all the way around.
192.836 -> I make better health choices.
195.196 -> I exercise.
196.916 -> I try and eat better all because of UW Health.
203.516 -> [ Music ]
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi0EAy8Hgl4