A dinner date in April of 2014 was a turning point in Tom Rich’s life.
“I had a sharp pain in my right shoulder,” says Rich who has a family history of heart disease. “The pain was so intense, I had to leave. By the time I got to the hospital, I couldn’t move my right arm or leg. Luckily, I was not having a heart attack or a stroke, but my blood pressure was sky high and out of control.”
Cardiologist Shashidhar Divakaruni, MD, on staff at Community and St. Catherine hospitals, told the 63-year old Rich that about one in every three people develop hypertension and a lot of them don’t even know it. That is why hypertension is called the “silent killer.” He told Rich he needed to turn his life and his health around.
Determined not to be another statistic, Rich signed up to be a member at Community Hospital Fitness Pointe®. The fitness center helps individuals achieve life-long health and fitness through innovative, quality programs, technologically advanced equipment and highly credentialed staff.
Today, Rich remains committed to his new lifestyle. He goes to Fitness Pointe five days per week to walk, bike and use the StairMaster and walks outside one day per week.
“People have to work together on a big lifestyle change such as this,” he says. “Dr. Divakaruni took very good care of me at the hospital. At Fitness Pointe I have made a lot of friends. I listen to the excellent staff, Nikki and Kathy. They help in any way that they can. At home, my friend Paulette helped by changing my whole diet around, cutting salt, fats and sugar. My blood pressure is back to normal. I have reduced the number of medications I take on a daily basis. I am thankful for my circle of support.”
“My advice is don’t wait for hypertension to sneak up on you,” Rich says. “You need to watch what you eat and try to live a healthy life.”
Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, located at 9950 Calumet Avenue in Munster, offers a variety of fitness programs and services guided by the expertise of our credentialed staff to support you from illness to wellness. Call 219-924-5348 or visit fitnesspointe.org.
