Slowing down isn’t in Imogene Milligan’s vocabulary. She walks most days—either around her Metropolis neighborhood or on vacation in Florida or Hawaii. So when aortic valve surgery slowed her down earlier this year, she was eager to get back on life’s fast track.

“I’ve had heart problems since 1976,” said Milligan, 72. “For years, I’ve closely monitored my heart’s health, but recent tests revealed that my aortic valve was deteriorating.”

Imogene Milligan with her cardiologist, Brad McElroy, M.D. The rehab center will relocate to the new Baptist Heart Center in 2007.

After surgery to correct the problem, Milligan spent a week in the hospital. To help her regain strength and stamina, cardiologist Brad McElroy, M.D., ordered cardiac rehabilitation in Western Baptist’s nationally certified program.

“Rehabilitation is an important step in anyone’s recovery,” said McElroy. “Not only does it accelerate a person’s healing, but also it offers a support system for the patient and extends the continuum of care that we provide here at Western Baptist.”

Milligan said her experience has been outstanding.

“The cardiac rehab nurses are so attentive and dedicated to their patients’ progress,” she said. “I feel very secure completing my therapy knowing that they are closely watching my activity.”

Milligan attends cardiac rehab three times a week, working out on the treadmill, stair-climber and arm-exerciser. She said her progress is remarkable.

“It’s really helped me,” said Milligan. “I’ve got my strength back now. When you first get there, your strength isn’t back yet; but after just a few visits, the progress is quite noticeable.