Marjorie McCormick, heart attack survivor

Marjorie is a good example of the fact that you can't live in a state of denial at any age, and that heart disease can surface at any time.

If you don't believe these two facts, you could lose your life. Fortunately, Marjorie paid attention to her symptoms and medical knowledge and is alive today.

When experiencing severe chest pain, Marjorie called the paramedics to take her to the hospital.

She was diagnosed with coronary artery disease, admitted for five days and was given a stent to open a clogged artery and prevent future clogging.  
 
Marjorie is alive and strong today because upon experiencing chest pain, she called the paramedics, instead of deciding for herself that it was only indigestion or some other fleeting discomfort. Her willingness to make a call that many people rationalize against making, is why Marjorie is among HCA HealthONE Aurora Hospital's Heart Healthy Heroes. She was treated by the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team at Aurora Hospital and follows their program as closely as possible, ensuring that she stays active so that she can avoid any other heart attack episodes.

Another contributing factor to Marjorie's health at 84 is due to her willingness to follow the advice of her medical and rehab teams. She follows a heart-healthy diet and exercises as much as possible. Her advice to others is to realize your lifestyle will change with heart disease, but for the better as you will be healthier and gain a more positive outlook on life.

Patient written permission obtained prior to the posting of this story.