Stronger Than Ever: Kelli Usher's Journey from Heart Attack to Recovery

Longtime Santa Clarita resident Kelli Usher has been active, working out, competing in triathlons and multi-sport events most of her adult life. She was always pushing herself to new limits and embracing her love for competing and staying active. 

"I've always been someone who pushes through," she said. "Slowing down was never really part of my personality."

Kelli’s mindset and lifestyle made it almost impossible for her to believe what would happen to her health.

She was feeling chest pains and a little bit of numbness in her arm. Being concerned something was wrong, she went to an urgent care office where she was instructed to call 911 if symptoms returned.

A week later Kelli was on a business trip to the East Coast. While preparing for her flight home she started experiencing the very same signs she felt before going to the urgent care office. Her chest tightened and her heart raced. Then pain started spreading to her jaw, shoulder and arm.

Remembering what the urgent care office told her, she called 911.

Next, she was rushed to a nearby emergency department, where doctors discovered a 95% blockage in her left anterior descending artery, commonly known as the "widow-maker." Physicians placed a coronary stent in the artery, a procedure that likely saved her life.

What made the experience shocking for Kelli was that she didn't fit the typical picture of someone at high risk for heart disease.

"I had no warning signs," she said. "I exercised all the time, competed in races and took care of myself. I didn't have high cholesterol. It completely flipped my world upside down."

After returning home to Santa Clarita, she established care with a local cardiologist, who referred her to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

Because of her competitive nature, she was worried she would work out a little too hard, which would not be good for her heart. Fortunately, Henry Mayo’s Cardiac Rehab program gave her something she couldn't provide for herself: expert guidance and monitoring. 

"I needed people to tell me when to slow down and let me know when I was going at a good pace," she said. "My instinct is always to push harder and go the extra mile.”

While attending cardiac rehab three afternoons a week, she found far more than monitored exercise sessions. She found a team that understood her determination and worked to keep her safe.

"Cardiac rehab has been such a blessing to my recovery," she said. "I loved the people and staff that I met.”

Initially, she questioned whether she even belonged there.

"I looked around and thought, 'Do I really belong here?' But they made me feel like I did."

While in the cardiac rehabilitation center, Kelli had her heart rate and blood pressure monitored while she gained strength. The staff also educated her on heart-healthy recipes and lifestyle changes that will help her manage risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and stress.

Today, she feels stronger, healthy and grateful.

"They gave me reassurance," she said. "They knew when I could push a little more and when I needed to slow down. That guidance made me comfortable to be active again." 

While surviving a heart attack changed her perspective, it hasn't taken away her passion for living an active life. Instead, it's taught her the importance of listening to her body and trusting the experts who helped guide her recovery.

For anyone recovering from a cardiac event, she encourages them to embrace cardiac rehabilitation.

"It's not just about exercising," she said. "It's about rebuilding your confidence. Having a team that's watching over you and helping you recover safely makes all the difference."