Read Lou`s Story - Ocean Medical Center

Back on the Air
Radio personality Lou Russo
promotes maintaining good heart health.
Ocean Medical Center
When Lou Russo, who is part of
the radio show Lou and Liz in the
Morning on 94.3 The Point, had
a heart attack, the 47-year-old
turned to the experts at
Ocean Medical Center.
FOR MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN MONMOUTH AND
Ocean counties, their morning routine includes
tuning in to the Jersey Shore’s hot music
channel, 94.3 The Point. With the lively duo Lou
and Liz in the Morning
Morning, listeners can count on a
daily dose of music, news, weather, and
humor.
But on October 9, 2013, listeners
suddenly found that half of the
dynamic duo was silent and
would be for a few weeks. It
wasn’t until Lou returned to
the studio later that month
that listeners learned of his
personal experience that
would forever change his life.
Run with Lou on June 8!
Join Lou Russo at the 2014 Meridian
Heart and Sole Cup 5K run/walk events!
Ocean Medical Center’s 5K will kick off the series
on Sunday, June 8. For prizes, registration, and
details on all the Heart and Sole Cup events, visit
MeridianHealth.com/heartandsolecup
or call 732-776-4075.
10 Meridian HealthViews
MAY/ JUNE 2014
One Life-Changing Afternoon
It was a Tuesday afternoon when 47-year-old Lou Russo experienced
pain across the top-left side of his chest while working out on a
treadmill. He figured it was a pulled muscle. After all, he had moved
furniture a few weeks earlier. He decided to go to the backyard to do
some yard work, but the pain kept returning.
Lou knew he had reason to be concerned. Both his grandfathers had
heart attacks at young ages. His eating habits often included fast food,
pizza, and snacks on the road. And he was not fond of going to the
doctor, so he avoided preventive tests for years because he didn’t want
someone to tell him he had to change his lifestyle or diet.
By the time Lou reached the Emergency Department, the
intermittent pains became more frequent and very sharp along his
chest and shoulder. He began sweating and
the pain traveled down his arm. It had been
only 30 minutes from his first symptom. He
was rushed to a bed and the team began
running tests.
“We confirmed that Lou was having a heart
attack and immediately took him to the
David J.
cardiac catheterization lab to clear the
Pinnelas, M.D.
blockage,” says David Pinnelas, M.D., an
Board certified
interventional cardiologist at Ocean.
in Cardiovascular
Disease,
Interventional
Cardiology, and
Internal Medicine
Brick
1-800-560-9990
Swift, Decisive Care
“Dr. Pinnelas was to the point and very
confident,” Lou recalls. “I remember him saying
that I’d be fine and would soon become the
diet and workout guru of the neighborhood.”
Looking back, Lou admits he didn’t absorb the severity of his
situation until they were rushing him to the cardiac catheterization
lab. “I can remember the sound of the heels my wife, Diane, wore as
she ran down the hallway next to the stretcher,” Lou says. “And at the
elevator, they asked people to exit the elevator because it was an
emergency. At that moment, it hit me that time was critical.”
In Ocean’s cardiac catheterization lab, Lou was lightly sedated and
able to talk with Dr. Pinnelas throughout the procedure. Lou’s left
anterior descending artery was nearly totally blocked. Because he got
treatment at the early onset of symptoms, Dr. Pinnelas was able to
unblock the artery and restore blood flow to the heart.
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“Early detection is critical when someone
is having a heart attack,” Dr. Pinnelas says.
“Symptoms such as pain in the arms, back,
neck, or jaw that worsen after five minutes
should be taken seriously. Call 911 and get
evaluated at a hospital. Ignoring symptoms
can cost valuable time that can mean the
difference between life and death.”
A Turn for the Better
Lou returned home three days later. He
began his 12-week rehabilitation at the
Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Ocean.
The program uses a treadmill, bike, and
arm exercises to help patients build their
strength and endurance.
“One of the best benefits of cardiac rehab
is that I can push myself with the peace of
mind that the staff is monitoring my heart
the whole time,” Lou says. “Additionally, I
love how my treatment plan has been
adapted to help meet my personal goals. I
am determined to get in shape and
participate in a series of Meridian Health
5K events this year.”
Lou has also drastically changed his
eating habits. “My wife follows a vegan diet
and healthy lifestyle. We now enjoy more
meals together, with lots of fruits and
vegetables complementing my new diet.
The results have been great.” Lou has lost
more than 25 pounds since his heart attack.
“The experts at Ocean saved my life, and I
am so incredibly grateful,” Lou says. “I now
have a new appreciation for prevention.
People should make their doctor’s
appointment now so they may be able to
prevent something worse at a later time.”
by Donna Sellmann
Taking Care of
New Jersey
It’s about time for an emergency room
that understands you better.
New Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Emergency Care Center
OceanMedicalCenter.com
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
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