Brock Kaericher - Cardiac Rehab Prevented Another Heart Attack

Brock Kaericher was familiar with the feeling— a discomfort in his left shoulder and a burning sensation that would not go away. He immediately recognized the symptoms of a heart attack, his third. The first occurred in 1989 when he was 38 and then another one in 1998.

On Feb. 10, 2015, at age 63, Kaericher knew something was wrong when he got home and asked his wife, Carol, to call for an ambulance. The president of local business Remo Inc., and the father of two grown sons and grandfather to two little girls, was transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s Emergency Department where tests confirmed that he had suffered a heart attack.

“They were very quick getting me there and running the tests,” Kaericher said. “They’ve advanced so dramatically since my last heart attack—the staff and Dr. Das, the Roberta G. Veloz Catheterization Lab, everything.”

Dr. Jayanta Das successfully removed a blood clot and debris from an artery and implanted two stents. Kaericher was released from the hospital the next day after the procedure and was able to return to work a few days later. As part of his recovery, he soon began a cardiac rehabilitation program at Henry Mayo which he continues today in the cardiac maintenance program.

A resident of Valencia for more than 20 years, Kaericher is president of Remo Inc., a fast-paced job that requires travel around the world. Maintaining cardiac health is vital to his lifestyle.

“My doctor prescribed cardiac rehab and I started a three-month program where I was monitored closely by staff,” he said. “The staff is so advanced and professional. They lead me through a regimen and made me feel so comfortable.”

“The staff - Dorinda, Krista, Amanda, Reba and Dina - is tremendous and so technically experienced in what they do, and they help me stay focused and involved. There’s also the camaraderie and education. They know what they’re doing and they pay attention to you.”

Kaericher continues with the cardiac rehab maintenance program two days a week to ensure that he follows a structured, supervised program that keeps his fitness level high and his heart at its best possible function. In addition he has set his own program and works out four days a week at his home gym.

“You’ve got to change your lifestyle, exercise regularly, and watch what you eat,” he said. “It’s all made a tremendous difference.”