Regional Medical Center | Thrive for Life | Winter 2018

BE HEART SMART Often, the first step to a stronger heart is a change in habits. Eat smart. Focus on enjoying a more plant-based diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Make meat secondary. Limit sodium and saturated fats. Aim for a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, even a small weight loss can provide a big benefit. Say no to stress overload. Learn to relax with deep-breathing exercises. Or consider taking a stress- management class. Get active. Be sure to review your new exercise plan with your doctor first. If you light up, quit. Giving up smoking may be the healthiest change you can make. Ask your doctor for help, call 1-800-QuitNow or visit QuitNowAlabama.com . IT WAS A SUNDAY morning just like any other. On April 2, 2017, Linda Rinehart and her husband were at church and in Sunday School class when she suddenly laid her head on his chest. She was having a massive heart attack. A fellow church member and nurse performed CPR and used a defibrillator to resuscitate her. Rinehart doesn’t remember that day or many days that followed. After the placement of three stents on day one, plus two more on day two, she now lives with an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) in her left shoulder. But she lives. ‘Everyone took such good care of me and my family’ “God has had His hand on me throughout this journey,” reflects 69-year-old Rinehart. “My experience at RMC was really great. Everyone took such good care of me and my family’s needs too.” After seven days at RMC, Rinehart continued recovery at an inpatient rehab facility and with home health. She started cardiac rehab at RMC’s Tyler Center three weeks after the heart attack and continues the after- care program three days a week. “It holds me accountable,” she says. “They are wonderful! The focus on nutrition, exercise and wellness has been really valuable.” Rinehart had a heart stent about 10 years ago and maintained her regular heart health checkups with her doctor in Birmingham. “My doctor is here now,” she says. “Dr. Kamran really fought for me the day this happened. I’m told it was really touch and go.” Mohammad Kamran, MD, is a cardiologist with RMC. Thankful for life There are many people in her life who are thankful that she survived that day. Her husband of 52 years, Jerre Rinehart (aka Ronnie), suffered a brain injury 27 years ago after falling from a ladder. She is his primary caregiver. They have four daughters and nine grandchildren. On the day she came home from inpatient rehab, their first great-grandchild was born. “It was really good medicine for this granny!” she proclaims. And medicine is a family affair— they have two children and four grandchildren in health care careers and studies. “I’m humbled by the prayers from people I know and many I don’t know,” she says. “When I’ve met them, they will say to me, ‘Oh, you’re the Mrs. Rinehart we’ve been praying for!’ It’s a miracle that I’m able to talk to you today,” she concludes. miracle It’s a February is American Heart Month Regional Medical Center 6 HEART HEALTH