Heart Transplant Prep: Jim's Cardiac Rehab Success Story

"On the evening of November 22, 2022, I went to bed early because I felt like I was catching the flu. All of a sudden, as I lie there, it was as if a mule sat down on my chest. I began having labored breathing, started sweating and felt I would vomit. I put my CPAP mask on to breathe in fresh air. It helped, so I got up, looked in the mirror, realized I was a bit scruffy and shaved. I then went to my wife and told her she needed to get dressed because I was calling 911. I went downstairs, opened the front door, unlocked the screen door, sat at the dining room table and waited for emergency services to arrive."

A Steady, Terrifying Decline

Emergency services technicians examined Jim Pendergast and said he needed a baby aspirin. Terri, Jim's wife, provided it and asked if he was having a heart attack. The workers shared that they could not confirm, but his symptoms aligned with a heart attack. They loaded him on a gurney, put him in the ambulance and sped away to a nearby hospital emergency room. 

"When I arrived, there were 25 to 30 people waiting for me. They whisked me away for a cardiac catheterization and sent a chaplain to be with my wife."

The chaplain located Terri and offered to take her back to see the doctor following his procedure. She kept asking if Jim was alive and if he'd be okay, but the chaplain said they'd need to chat with the doctor. 

In time, the chaplain led Terri to her husband's room, where the doctor informed the couple that Jim had suffered a "widow maker" heart attack and had two 100 percent blockages in the left ventricles of his heart. The doctor shared that the ventricles were dead and would never be able to recover. 

"I watched my wife listening nervously and saw the chaplain standing in the doorway," Jim recalls. "I joked with the chaplain that he'd arrived too soon because I wasn't dead yet."

The doctor addressed Jim's fear and put him at ease sharing that the team would do all they could to save his life. The team put in two stents to help with blood flow and put him in a left vest that he had to wear for 90 days until he could receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in March 2023. The ICD worked for a while until he began to have more symptoms, including fibrosis.

This time, his medical providers did an intravenous milrinone drip in October 2023, which is mainly used to treat advanced heart failure. It works as a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, which boosts heart function by enhancing contractions and widening blood vessels. This results in better blood flow and less strain on the heart. Typically, it's given as a slow injection followed by a continuous infusion. Milrinone is especially useful in cases of acute decompensated heart failure, offering quick improvements in blood circulation and relief from symptoms.

Not too longer after that procedure, Jim began to decline again.

"I struggled to walk. My skin was turning gray, so I was admitted to the hospital in February 2024."

Jim's situation was grave. The team told him that they had to insert a balloon pump for life-saving care. Without it, he'd have three to six months left to live. Jim accepted the emergency pump placement.

"The pump was in for just 12 days and wasn't helping me improve, so the team inserted a left ventricular assistive device (LVAD) in March 2024."

An Introduction to Compassionate Care at WakeMed Cardiac Rehab

Jim was put on a heart transplant list and sent to WakeMed Cardiac Rehab to strengthen his heart following LVAD in September 2024.

"I was approved for 36 weeks of rehab, and from the moment I entered WakeMed Cardiac Rehab, I knew I was in good hands. I'd participated in rehab at other facilities between my other procedures, but WakeMed topped them all. I was immediately impressed that 20 incredible nurses knew how to do a doppler reading since I had an LVAD."

Jim was relieved to know he was in good hands. He enjoyed exercises to strengthen his arms and legs for walking after his heart transplant. He appreciated the nutrition classes. 

"I worked out every Monday and Wednesday with the exercise tech. I started out with the bicycle for about 15 minutes and then did more machine work, took time to connect with others going through cardiac issues and received lots of education. Everyone was incredibly kind and capable. I enjoyed everything. My wife learned a lot too and yells at me when I eat something I shouldn't."

A New Heart, A New Start

On January 22, 2025, Jim received the amazing news that he'd been approved for a new heart. He was on the transplant list. He paused WakeMed Cardiac Rehab to accept the life-saving procedure. By the next day, his situation began to change.

"I had to go to Nashville, TN, for the surgery. At 8:00 am on January 23, I got a call that there was a heart for me. By 10:00 am, there's a limousine at front of my door. By 11:30 am, My wife and I were in flight in a private jet heading to Nashville."

On January 24, the date the of the couple's 49th wedding anniversary, Jim received his new heart.

By January 27, thanks to the incredible preparation he received through WakeMed Cardiac Rehab, Jim was able to walk independently. 

On February 3, Jim celebrated his birthday and was discharged home to North Carolina. He had to take it easy for several months to give his body time to acclimate to this new organ. 

A year later on February 2, 2026, Jim finished his last session at WakeMed Cardiac Rehab. He rang the graduation bell to the joyous applause of the entire rehab team. He has lots of travel planned as he is once again able to enjoy life with his family.

---

About WakeMed Cardiac Rehab 

At WakeMed, cardiac rehab isn’t just about recovery – it’s about rediscovering confidence, gaining strength and knowledge to live a heart-healthy life. Our program is tailored for those recovering from cardiac events, such as a heart attack, heart surgery (including bypass or valve repair/replacement), angioplasty or stent placement, heart failure or stable angina. Whether you join us in person or virtually, our expert team guides every step of your journey.