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Tuesday, February 11, 2003

By Virginia Linn, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

After raising a family of four children, Mary and Joe Cornelius of Monroeville didn't expect to be sharing their retirement years in cardiac rehabilitation.

Mary and Joe Cornelius at the Forbes Regional Lifestyle Center. (John Beale, Post-Gazette)

But after both experienced heart attacks, both now work out together three times a week at the nearby Forbes Regional Lifestyles Center, where they're also learning how to eat more healthfully and control their stress.

They're part of a growing trend observed at the area's largest community cardiac lifestyle program in which more couples are sharing these experiences. In some, both had heart attacks; others involve a partner attending to support the recovering spouse.

"There are so many lifestyle changes that need to be made, and they need the support," said Peggy McGowan, manager of the Forbes Lifestyles Center. The program has 210 "maintenance members" such as the Corneliuses, who visit regularly to keep in shape and follow new eating habits to avoid future heart problems. Program supervisors monitor them more closely than employees would at a regular health club, sometimes taking blood pressure and tracking progress.

Mary, 67, wasn't totally surprised when she had a heart attack six years ago. Her father had died of heart disease at 63.

But as a licensed practical nurse for 40 years before retiring, she figured her job had kept her in shape. And she hadn't smoked.

"I decided after I retired, I was going to take better care of myself, and I started a walking program."

It was during one of those walks that she was overcome with weakness. She felt better after resting on her front step, but by early evening there was crushing pain in her chest and arm. Joe called an ambulance.

Doctors at the former St. Francis Medical Center found that her left anterior coronary artery was 99 percent blocked, and they inserted wire mesh tubes called stents to keep it propped open. "Thank God I've been OK since," she said.

Joe, 75, followed with his heart attack 2 1/2 years ago. He had no family history of heart disease and had had active jobs at a grocery store and as a school custodian. After retirement, he tended his yard.

Early one morning, Mary drove him to Forbes hospital emergency room after he experienced a week of intermittent chest pain that became more intense. He had surgery at West Penn Hospital to insert a stent in a clogged artery.

At the Forbes lifestyle center, they work out on treadmills, stationary bicycles, rowing machines and other equipment. Mary also lifts weights.

And the frequent snowfalls this winter have kept them busy clearing their 80-foot driveway on days they don't visit the gym.

"My wife takes one half, I take the other," said Joe, emphasizing that they take frequent breaks. "It gives us a little extra on our days off. It's the same as going to the health center."

Mary said they keep each other motivated at the lifestyles center. "Having him there is good and the social aspect is good. You're kind of all in it together."

McGowan, the center manager, said although more couples are coming in, men still outnumber women participants. That's despite the fact more women (510,000) than men (440,000) die of heart disease each year, according to the American Heart Association.

"Detection of women's heart disease comes less quickly than males. Sometimes it takes them longer to rehabilitate," McGowan said. "More females are not in tune with regular physical exercise."

But Mary says that's changing. "Us seniors, we're not sitting in rocking chairs anymore. We're out. We're out and about."