Jim Taranto: From Near Death to Back Up and Breathing — Thanks to WakeMed!
February 4, 2026
For several months, Jim Taranto experienced smoldering chest pain and chest tightness.
"It would start up briefly and then quit," Jim explains. "Every time it quit, I would forget about it. Eventually, however, it got to me, so I scheduled an appointment with my primary care doctor."
Jim underwent an electrocardiogram (EKG). It came back normal. His doctor then ordered a stress test on the bicycle. It, too, came back normal.
"I chalked it up to cycling. I'm an avid cyclist, so I blew it off as muscular."
The Event That Sent Him to the Emergency Department
Weeks later, Jim was enjoying an evening with friends on August 27, 2025. Suddenly, pain started to go up the right side of his chest. It traveled to his right shoulder and to his clavicle and shoulder blade. It then intensified with shortness of breath, so his wife drove him to the WakeMed Brier Creek Healthplex Emergency Department.
"I was admitted, and they performed an EKG that came back as problematic. The care team followed up with a blood test that showed my troponin levels were dangerously elevated, so they stabilized me and transported me to WakeMed Raleigh Campus Heart Center around midnight, August 28."
The team continued monitoring him with blood tests that showed continually rising troponin levels.
Emergency Stent Placement at the WakeMed Heart Center
That morning, WakeMed cardiologist Michael Cowherd, MD, took Jim to the catheterization lab where they found 99 percent stenosis to his left anterior descending (LAD) artery, often responsible for widowmaker heart attacks.
Dr. Cowherd placed a stent with restoration of normal blood flow down the artery. Jim then remained in the hospital until September 1. He was discharged home with a referral to WakeMed Cardiac Rehab.
Dr. Cowherd offers, "Coronary artery disease and heart attacks can still happen to people, like Jim, who take great care of themselves. Factors, including genetics and age, matter — alongside lifestyle. Thankfully, our team was able to identify and treat his blockage promptly. I expect him to recover well and get back to doing the activities he enjoys."
Time to Heal
Jim took it easy at home, recovering slowly over the course of the month.
"I was surprised by the pace of my recovery. I thought I would rebound quicker than I did. I learned to be patient and let my body take time to heal."
On September 29, Jim began cardiac rehab.
"The timing of the buffer period for healing was perfect," Jim shares. "By then, I felt well enough to go for short walks and make it down the driveway to check the mail."
Cardiac Rehab: From Fear to Faith
Jim went to rehab fearful, however. He was worried that he'd be pushed too hard and possibly suffer another cardiac event.
"I've had other major surgeries. I've had a total hip replacement, knee reconstruction and more. Those were nothing compared to this as far as the fear and the lack of confidence. Even those first couple of nights after being discharged from the hospital were testy. I was afraid to close my eyes and go to sleep."
Jim attended WakeMed Cardiac Rehab – Cary two days a week and eventually went up to three days a week as his stamina increased. He completed a total of 30 sessions and graduated from the program on December 15.
"Cardiac rehab boosted my confidence! I enjoyed basic cardio fitness and diet and nutrition education. The way the therapists broke the sessions down was just genius. I was hooked up to a monitor, surrounded by medical professionals and regularly encouraged to listen to my body. It was awesome."
Jim also appreciated that the therapy team took the time to individualize his workouts based on his interests. In an interview upon his entry to the program, they asked him about his routines and exercise habits. Since he was an avid cyclist, they immediately put him on the recumbent cycling machine.
"They started me out at a comfortable pace on that machine, so I was just spinning my legs. In time, as my body grew stronger and my confidence grew, I was able to add tension. That session would last 20 minutes followed by light strength training for 20 minutes with dumbbell weights. I would then join a mini-aerobics exercise group. It was cool to meet others who'd also experienced cardiac events. We would end sessions with stretching and meditating. It was very encouraging."
Jim looked forward to cardiac rehab and now laughs recalling his vastly increased confidence as his time in cardiac rehab drew to a close.
"I'd get my heart rate up super high, and they'd run over and encourage me to slow down. Eventually, as this continued, the nurses consulted with the cardiologist to determine a new marker for safe elevation of my heart rate. I was authorized to work a bit harder, which felt like a real accomplishment."
At Home and Active Again
A retiree, Jim enjoys indoor home cycling since graduating from the program. He hopes to rejoin his buddies in outdoor cycling by spring 2026.
"I can't thank Dr. Cowherd enough for saving my life. He was kind and explained everything in a way I could understand. I, too, am very thankful to my WakeMed Cardiac Rehab team. The entire staff was absolutely amazing. This experience was the confidence booster I desperately needed. I was surrounded by an incredible staff of medical professionals guiding me in the right direction. The level of care I was given was “off the charts” wonderful. I’ve learned a lot — from basic cardiac care to exercise, fitness as well as diet and nutrition. I will always be grateful for the lifesaving care and positive encouragement and guidance I received at WakeMed."
About WakeMed Brier Creek Healthplex Emergency Department
When you or a loved one needs immediate medical attention, it's a comfort to know that the full-service, WakeMed Brier Creek Healthplex Emergency Department is nearby. Services for children and adults are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this emergency department is backed by WakeMed Children's and Wake County's only Level 1 Trauma Center. Patients arrive via walk-in and ambulance.
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.
About WakeMed Heart Center
When it comes to matters of the heart, there's nothing like experience. Wake County's first open heart surgery was performed at WakeMed in 1968, and we continue to be a leader in innovative cardiovascular care delivered by highly trained, board-certified physicians and staff who take a team approach to patient care. At WakeMed, patients always come first. Whether it's having a cardiac intervention team ready and waiting for you in a time of emergency, managing your high cholesterol or high blood pressure levels or helping you regain strength with our dedicated cardiac rehab program, WakeMed’s Heart & Vascular services, physicians and staff are here for you.