Cardiac rehab helps heart attack victim rebuild strength and thrive

Reena Caprario almost didn’t live to tell her story.

Last May, she ignored her heart attack symptoms for nearly a week, brushing them off as acid reflux. Then, the heart attack hit.

Thanks to the care of AdventHealth Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute clinicians, Caprario survived. Now, she’s making sure other women don’t make the same mistake, sharing her story on the national airways during February’s Heart Month.

“I feel like I survived this to use my voice and telling people to take heed,” Caprario said. “Listen to your body. If something feels off, don’t wait. It’s a warning sign, go get it checked right away.”

After her heart attack, Caprario found herself at a crossroads, unsure of how to regain her strength and confidence. It was then she discovered the 12-week cardiac rehab program at AdventHealth Waterman, and it helped change her life.

"I learned doing 30-40 minutes of cardio is so beneficial for you and your heart. It gives you energy for your day and keeps you healthy," she shared. “The structured environment and personalized exercise plans helped rebuild my physical health. People need to know how important this program is after you have been through what I have been through.”

Typically, a person is weak and fatigued after suffering from a heart attack.

Caprario began cardiac rehab with perseverance to strengthen her cardiovascular health and endurance. She not only wanted to get better for herself but for her family as well.

"After her heart attack, Reena faced her physical challenges with a positive attitude, inspiring both staff and patients alike," said Eric Samuelsen, exercise physiologist at AdventHealth cardiopulmonary rehab. "Reena showed so much compassion, turning cardiac rehab into a place of hope and showing others, they weren't alone."

Importance of Cardiac Rehab:

Cardiac rehab isn’t just about exercise. It’s about giving patients the tools to rebuild their health and lower their risk of future heart problems.

The program includes:

• Supervised exercise: Patients get stronger through personalized, monitored workouts.
• Heart-healthy nutrition: Practical guidance on making better food choices, like cooking with healthier oils.
• Emotional support: Recovery isn’t just physical – cardiac rehab helps patients regain confidence.
• Lower risk of future problems: Studies show cardiac rehab reduces the chance of another heart attack.

"Our goal is to help patients regain their strength while giving them the support they need for long-term heart health,” said John Bowers, manager of cardiopulmonary rehab. “The program may only last for 12 weeks, but the benefits and knowledge gained will last a lifetime.”

Caprario’s story is a shining example of how cardiac rehab can be life-changing, helping people reclaim their health, recover and thrive

“You wear a heart monitor during workouts, so the team ensures you’re getting the right intensity,” Caprario said. “I also learned how to make better choices, like only eating egg whites and looking at the amounts of cholesterol, sugar and carbs in all the foods I eat.”