From Heart Attack to Healing

When Lynn Ahlden left for a vacation in Canada in October 2024, the last thing on her mind was her heart. She experienced some chest discomfort while away but brushed it off. “I thought, well, I did this, that caused that, and it went away. So I really didn’t think a great deal about it,” she recalls.

But, just days after returning home, the pain came back stronger—this time with the weight of what she described as “the proverbial elephant on my chest.” Living across the street from Riverside Healthcare, Lynn trusted her instincts and went straight to the emergency department. 

Quick Action in the Emergency Room

At Riverside’s ER, Lynn was taken back immediately. “They were beyond wonderful,” she says. “They told me exactly what they were doing. The doctor would come in and say, ‘We’re looking at this, that, and the other thing.’” Soon, the truth became clear: she was having a heart attack.

“The doctor came in and said, ‘There’s no easy way to say this, but you’re having a heart attack and the operating team is right behind me,’” Lynn remembers. “I wasn’t going to ask for a second opinion. I knew he was right.”

Surgery and Recovery

What happened next unfolded quickly. Surrounded by a team of eight to ten providers, Lynn was struck by how calm, efficient, and communicative they were. “They all knew exactly what they were doing. In spite of everything happening so fast, they reassured me the whole time.”

Thanks to modern technology and expert care, Lynn was able to go home the very next day. Recovery included follow-up appointments and cardiac rehab just across the street from her home. “Rehab was three times a week, and it was wonderful because you really are watched, you’re monitored,” she explains.

Setbacks and Additional Procedures

Lynn’s journey wasn’t without complications. During rehab, she experienced supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a dangerously fast heartbeat. The staff acted swiftly and calmly, transferring her back to the ER. This episode led to additional procedures: two stents and, eventually, an ablation.

“Each time, everything was explained so well,” she says. “For the ablation, I even got to watch it on TV. Did I understand it? No. But I could see what they were doing.”

Despite pauses in her rehab, Lynn worked hard and eventually “graduated” from the program—a milestone celebrated with a t-shirt and a sense of accomplishment.

Support Beyond the Hospital

One tool Lynn says has been invaluable is MyChart, Riverside’s online patient portal. “If you have a non-emergency question, you can send a message and get an answer really quickly, often from the doctor,” she says. “You’re not taking up their time with another patient, and I’m not stuck waiting on the phone. It’s a good tool.”

Family History and Awareness

Lynn also took her experience as motivation to research her family history of heart disease. Tracing back four generations on her mother’s side, she found 13 relatives with serious heart issues—including all three of her siblings. Sharing this information with her brother prompted him to get tested, ultimately leading to life-saving open-heart surgery.

“It was worth the time,” she says. “I gave it to everybody and told them, ‘Share this with your primary care doctor.’”

A Message for Others

Today, Lynn continues with exercise and follow-up care at Riverside. She describes the experience as a collaborative effort: “It’s like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I always felt it was possible—with some effort on my part, but with a real safety net beneath me.”

Her advice to others is simple but vital: don’t ignore symptoms. “Even if you think you’re fine and maybe your neck hurts or your shoulder hurts, don’t be foolish. Don’t put it off. Find out about it, because it could be something more than you think.”

Lynn credits Riverside’s team and facilities with saving her life. “They’re incredible. Absolutely incredible. I cannot say enough about that.”