A Husband Attuned to Heart Health

Staying healthy together – Mary Ann Groeller of Orefield, Pa., feels so much better after undergoing triple bypass surgery, she’s doing water aerobics several times a week with her husband, Charles.

Charles Groeller thought his wife, Mary Ann, 63, was having heart problems. Even though a stress test two months earlier was inconclusive, he was skeptical that her symptoms were caused by anxiety.

Mary Ann’s shortness of breath, sweating and pain on the sides of her chest reappeared at a nephew’s funeral. “It was a hot day,” she says, “and the funeral of a young person is a stressful event.” She decided to go home and rest.

On the way, the Orefield, Pa., couple passed Lehigh Valley Hospital—Cedar Crest. Mary Ann’s symptoms had intensified, so Charles took her to the emergency department, where he described what she was feeling and her medical and family history. An enzyme test determined she was indeed having a heart attack. Mary Ann was admitted to the hospital and underwent triple bypass surgery.

Mary Ann was fortunate; she did not suffer permanent damage to her heart. Now the couple regularly attends Heart Help for Women classes at the hospital. While Mary Ann knew that having a mother who died of heart disease increased her risk, she was unaware that her own diabetes also was a risk factor.

“The classes helped us both learn to live healthier,” Charles says. To manage both her diabetes and heart problems, Mary Ann is conscientious about her diet. She and Charles are careful with carbohydrates and sugars, and eat more fruits and vegetables than they used to. “We thought we were eating healthy before,” Charles says, “but the classes helped us understand exactly how different foods affect our bodies.”

Exercise also plays a big part in their healthier lifestyle. Mary Ann does water aerobics several times a week. Charles bikes and rollerblades, and joins Mary Ann in the pool twice a week. “Its nice to have an activity you can do together,” he says.

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