Recognizing the First Signs of Heart Disease
For most of his life, Kenneth Eckhoff of Janesville was healthy and active. At 78, he still walked daily, mowed his lawn and handled projects around the house. But last fall, while carrying boxes, Kenneth noticed something unusual and suddenly became short of breath.
“I didn’t think much of it at first,” Kenneth said. “It only happened when I was hauling something heavy.”
During his yearly physical at the Janesville Clinic with Dr. Bansal, Kenneth mentioned the shortness of breath. That small decision led to a series of tests that ultimately saved his life.
A Hidden Threat: Heart Blockages Found
Kenneth was referred to a cardiologist who ordered an ultrasound, heart monitor and sleep apnea test. Everything looked normal. He and his wife Sharon left for Florida, but one more stress test was scheduled for when he returned.
“I didn’t even make it past the first three minutes of the stress test,” Kenneth recalled. “That’s when they knew something was wrong.”
Further testing revealed five major blockages. His doctors explained that coronary artery disease often develops silently, without obvious symptoms. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and many people don’t know they have it until it’s too late.
Kenneth underwent open-heart surgery soon after. The recovery was challenging, as he required five hours of life support and six days in the hospital before returning home.
Starting Cardiac Rehab at Waverly Health Center
Kenneth’s next step was enrolling in Waverly Health Center’s Cardiac Rehab program, a medically supervised exercise and education program designed for people recovering from heart surgery, heart attacks or other cardiac events. There, he worked with a supportive team including Michelle, Nikki, Rebecca, and Krista.
“They were all so sweet,” Kenneth said. “On my first day, Michelle explained how the program worked and tailored it to me. I started slow at just 1.1 mph on the treadmill, but it was exactly what I needed.”
Each session built his strength:
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20 minutes on the treadmill
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20 minutes on the stepper
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Arm exercises for endurance
As he improved, the team gradually increased the intensity with hills and faster pacing.
Graduation and a New Lifestyle
On July 9, Kenneth proudly graduated from Cardiac Rehab after completing all 30 sessions. It felt like a major victory, proof of how far he had come since surgery.
Now, Kenneth continues the habits he built:
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Walking 40 minutes daily, often around the lake
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Tracking at least 30 active minutes with his Fitbit
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Using his treadmill when weather keeps him indoors
“I feel a lot better now,” Kenneth said. “I can do anything I did before surgery. I just take my time.” He has even power-washed his house and resealed his deck. Kenneth credits Dr. Bansal, the WHC Cardiac Rehab team and his wife Sharon for helping him recover.
A Message of Awareness
Looking back, Kenneth is grateful he spoke up about his symptoms.
“My son took me into surgery, and I told him, ‘I feel alright, I don’t know why I’m doing this.’ But I knew I had to. That’s the scary thing about heart blockages. You don’t always know until it’s too late. I’m glad I said something when I did.”