Mary Ressegue - Gaining Confidence in Cardiac Rehab

Mary Ressegue, 53, will never forget June 13, 2015. It was the day she suffered a massive heart attack, the scariest day of her life.

Ressegue, who has a genetic blood clotting disorder but had no prior heart problems, knew something was terribly wrong shortly after she woke up that Saturday morning and the pains in the center of her chest started. Her husband Larry was out so her 17-year-old daughter Emma helped call 911. Ressegue was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED).  She was evaluated by a cardiologist, Dr. Das, and then was quickly taken to the Roberta G. Veloz Cardiac Cath Lab. “Dr. Das put in several stents,” Ressegue said. “They said it was a massive heart attack. There was no plaque or heart disease, just blood clots, but it was not known if it was related to my clotting disorder.”

Ressegue spent the next 11 days in the hospital, five in the Intensive Care Unit and the remainder in the Definitive Observation Unit. “My cardiologists Dr. Das and Dr. Garabedian are heroes in my eyes,” she said. “I saw so many nurses and they were all so caring and helpful. I have so much respect for all the hardworking men and women at Henry Mayo.” Shortly after her discharge, Ressegue started a 12-week program at Henry Mayo’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center. “It was a great experience,” she said. “The nurses there are so caring and they were able to answer all my questions. They really helped give me back my confidence because this all came out of the blue. I didn’t know how far I should walk or what I should do. The education I received about exercise, medication, and nutrition was very helpful.”

A resident of Valencia for more than 16 years with her husband and her daughter, Ressegue was able to return to work after three months and  is now almost back to her normal schedule.  “I can’t say enough about the great care I received at Henry Mayo,” she said. “I feel good now and my energy is improving. I can go take care of my family, go for walks with my dog, Charlotte, go to the gym and see my friends. Life is good!"