Cardiac Wellness Makes a Comeback

After a regular Thursday night game of tennis, Jim Holtz woke at 2 a.m. to the feeling that something wasn’t right. A trip to the emergency room and tests lead to open-heart surgery in July 1993. Such invasive surgery can, over time, put an end to the kind of active lifestyle that Jim enjoyed. However, at the tender age of 87, Jim continues to be active thanks to a little push from his daughter and 28 years of Cardiac Wellness classes — 13 years of which have been through the Cardiac Wellness program offered at MAC.

Jim has been a club member for 65 years and after several years of cardiac exercise at the local YMCA, he helped facilitate a similar class at MAC, now the Cardiac Wellness class. For years, Legacy hospital brought in a registered nurse and exercise physiologist to monitor and lead classes twice a week for members with heart diseases. Jim’s impressive consistency over the years supports his statement that “After open-heart surgery, you have to be regular with these things. It’s necessary for routine and comradery. This program kept me on the court.”

Due to COVID-19 shutdowns over the past year, regular participants were left without a class to attend. Jim says, “I’ve missed it. My body isn’t in as good of condition as they kept it.” But there’s good news for Jim and all MAC members, the Cardiac Wellness class is being added back to the list of offerings this fall! Members with a physician’s referral will participate in light, manageable exercise — with a focus on cardiac rehabilitation — overseen by medical professionals.

As MAC continues to adapt through these unprecedented times, safely promoting overall health and wellness continues to be the top priority. With the reintroduction of the Cardiac Wellness program, staying well at MAC again includes a focus on the heart.

For more information, please contact wellness@themac.com.