Something didn’t feel right to Shirley Kell of Independence Township after New Year’s celebrations 11 years ago.
She thought it was probably indigestion, but just to make sure, she went to her physician, Dr. James O’Neill at Clarkston Medical Group.
‘I didn’t have any symptoms. I just knew something was wrong,? said Kell, 58. ‘I couldn’t describe it. It didn’t hurt. There was no pressure ? I thought maybe I ate or drank too much. I didn’t know.?
Electrocardiogram test seemed normal, but doctors ordered a blood enzyme test to make sure. The test, which looks for heart-muscle enzymes in the blood, indicating damaged heart cells from cardiac arrest, came back positive.
‘Two days later, I had quadruple bypass surgery,? she said.
Now, after years of rehabilitation exercises and lifestyle changes, she helps educate others as spokesperson for American Heart Association’s local Mended Hearts support group.
‘Someone visited me in the hospital from Mended Hearts,? she said. ‘So I joined ? it’s personally rewarding. I like to help other people.?
February is American Heart Month, she said.
‘Heart disease is America’s number one killer,? she said.
Volunteers, trained and accredited by Mended Hearts, visit patients at the hospital before or after surgery, as well as those diagnosed with angina, hypertension, and heart attack. Last year, they made more than 224,000 visits nationwide to heart patients, families and caregivers in person, online or by phone, Kell said.
‘We offer tangible proof that there can be a quality life associated with heart disease, despite the challenges,? she said.
‘The good news is that due to advances in treatment and diagnosis there are more and more procedures and patients recovering than ever before. However, that also means that there is an increasing number of patients who need the reassurance and emotional support that comes most effectively from someone who has ‘been there.? Listening is an important part of the visit and it helps the patient to know they’re with someone who has been through a similar experience.?
Mended Hearts partners locally with St. Joseph Mercy Oakland. All visits are made with hospital and/or physician approval or referral.
They also provide educational information, such as recommendations for healthy lifestyle choices, medication tips, and managing any depression, a common aftermath of a heart event.
‘Additionally, we offer ongoing connections through regular chapter meetings. We encourage patients to join us for these sessions that offer peer support and feature guest speakers on topics relevant to the recovering patient,? says Kell.
Another lesson she learned from Mended Hearts: call an ambulance. When she had her heart attack, her family was out of town, and a friend drove her to CMG.
‘I should have gone by ambulance,? she said. ‘That’s what paramedics are for, and we have good ones in Independence Township. But I didn’t show the signs.?
For more information, call 248.623.1168 or 888-HEART99 (888-432-7899), or visit www.mendedhearts.org.

Warnings
to watch for

According to the American Heart Association, heart attack warning signs include:
? Discomfort in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain;
? Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach;
? Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort; and??
? Other signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
For more information, call 888-432-7899.