Darlene Crisp is back at work in the radiology department at Harris Regional Hospital after a five-month journey to strengthen her heart.
With a family history of heart problems, Crisp saw a cardiologist last year as a proactive measure. She expressed shortness of breath and jaw pain, which are early warning signs of a heart attack.
Within 24 hours of that life-saving visit, Crisp underwent a typical catheterization, where three stents were placed for blocked arteries, and she was admitted for monitorization of back pain. During that time, lab work and an Echo indicated a significant heart attack post catheterization. The three stents placed mere hours before had collapsed. Crisp was informed she needed open heart surgery to perform a triple bypass.
After five days of sedation on the ventilator, Crisp finally awoke from a successful triple bypass with a balloon pump in her heart. After 11 days, she made it home. Six days later, Crisp was experiencing abnormal fatigue, which she articulated in her post-surgery check-in with her physician.
Little did Crisp realize that she was in AFIB and VT, otherwise known as an arrhythmia, that occurs when the lower chamber of the heart beats too fast to pump blood efficiently, meaning the body is not receiving enough oxygenated blood. As a result, Crisp quickly underwent another surgery to place a pacemaker in her chest to help control her heartbeat.
After her extensive journey, Crisp was referred to the Harris Regional Hospital cardiac rehab program, where she attended rehab three days a week. She shared that “the first couple of weeks were very hard. I did not feel like I was accomplishing anything, but as time went on I did better and got stronger.” In cardiac rehab, you start each day by weighing to evaluate fluid retention, and then you receive a heart monitor for exercise. Crisp explained that cardiac rehab involved stretching, strength training, and cardiorespiratory engagement. She shared how cardiac rehab impacted her.
“First it got me out of bed because when I commit to something I do it. Second, it gave me a social outlet as I am a people person, and I was not working and missed the interaction. Thirdly and probably most important, I gained strength in my arms, legs and overall energy level came up. My heart ejection fraction level is now between 35 and 40, so I am making progress on that.”
Crisp is now back to work at Harris Regional Hospital and has a new appreciation for life.
She stated, “I am very blessed to be alive, to work where I work, and for our hospital to offer what we do for many patients.”
Harris Regional Hospital offers cardiac rehabilitation services designed to help participants learn optimal personal physical, psychological, vocational, and social health. Cardiac rehab offers three phases to the program: inpatient, outpatient, and maintenance.
Harris Regional Hospital is proud to offer cardiac rehab services, as well as the cardiac catheterization lab as a part of Harris Cardiology. For more information, visit the Find a Provider page on MyHarrisRegional.com/Schedule or call 844.414.DOCS.