Holly Powell, Dosher Cardiac Rehab Graduate

A Cardiac Rehab Success Story, 4 Years Later and Better than Ever

Holly Powell will be the first to tell you that five years ago, she was "Overweight and led a very sedentary life." Holly worked 16-20 hour days, and she often experienced a burning in her chest when she was up and moving around.

On September 27, 2014, that burning sensation did not go away and led to a heart attack, which resulted in Holly receiving two stents before leaving the hospital.

6 weeks after her surgery, Holly began cardiac rehab at Dosher. One day, around half way through the program, Holly was walking on the treadmill, and the staff noticed that something wasn't right. After some testing, it was determined Holly needed a triple bypass surgery.

Holly returned to cardiac rehab in early 2015 and finished the program. However Holly's graduation from cardiac rehab was just the beginning for some significant lifestyle changes that she maintains to this day. Holly exercises daily, she drinks plenty of fluids, she has been able to discontinue her diabetes medicine and has a weight loss of over 50 pounds. Holly's resting heart rate was up in the high 60's and is now in the low 50's.

Holly's story is a testament to the importance of supervised cardiac rehab as well as a patient's willingness to make continuous effort. Since cardiac rehab is a program monitored by medical professionals, the Dosher staff was able to immediately intervene with Holly before her bypass surgery when they noticed something was wrong. Holly is the first to express her gratitude for the Dosher Cardiac Rehab team's keen observations and actions that day.

Holly says, "I believe in my heart that the Dosher Cardiac team saved my life, and I tell everyone who will listen. While I was going through cardiac rehab, they saw something and knew. I am thankful every day for them."

Holly's willingness to implement long term lifestyle changes is the most significant component in continued success and recovery, which, in Holly's case, has not only prevented another heart attack but has enabled her to get even healthier than she was before.

Holly, who is married to her best friend Jesse of 34 years, as well as a mother to 1 and Mom to 4 beautiful daughters ranging in ages from 42 to 33, loves to read and is an avid student of books that can help her improve, either personally or professionally. She's a busy entrepreneur who owns a local digital marketing agency but finds the time to make her health a priority.

Holly says that outside of her family, the Dosher Cardiac Rehab team were her biggest cheerleaders. The Dosher cardiac team is here to encourage and cheer on everyone who goes through the program. They take great joy in watching patients like Holly make progress in the initial recovery stage, and even more joy to watch graduated patients thriving and living life to the fullest, for several years to come.