Living With a Heart Condition in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Keeping your heart healthy is one of the most important things you can do for your long‑term health. In Grand Rapids, MI, you have access to excellent cardiac care through major health systems like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health. These hospitals and clinics offer specialized programs and support to help you live well with a heart condition.

Cold West Michigan winters, icy sidewalks, and seasonal illnesses can add extra strain on your heart, so having a clear plan for heart‑healthy living in Grand Rapids is especially important.

What Is Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) is a medically supervised program of:

  • Exercise
  • Education
  • Counseling and emotional support

The goal is to strengthen your heart, improve your fitness, and lower your risk of future heart problems.

In Grand Rapids, cardiac rehab programs are typically offered through:

  • Corewell Health Butterworth and Blodgett Hospitals
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – U of M Health
  • Mercy Health facilities in the metro area

You can ask your cardiologist or primary care provider for a referral to a local program that fits your needs.

Who Should Attend Cardiac Rehab in Grand Rapids?

Cardiac rehab is recommended if you have:

  • Had a heart attack
  • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
  • Coronary angioplasty and/or stenting
  • Heart valve repair or replacement
  • A cardiac arrest
  • Coronary artery disease, angina, or heart failure
  • An implanted device such as a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter‑defibrillator (ICD)
  • Certain abnormal heart rhythms (for example, atrial fibrillation)

Attending cardiac rehab after a heart attack or major heart procedure can significantly reduce your risk of another heart attack and improve your quality of life.

What to Expect From a Cardiac Rehab Program

Cardiac rehab programs in Grand Rapids are usually run by a team that may include cardiologists, nurses, exercise physiologists, dietitians, and mental health professionals. Through the program, you will be supported to:

  • Safely increase physical activity and fitness
  • Return to driving, work, and travel when it is safe
  • Learn how to manage your heart medicines
  • Control other conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
  • Recognize warning signs of a heart attack and what to do in an emergency
  • Make heart‑healthy lifestyle changes (nutrition, exercise, alcohol, smoking)
  • Manage stress, anxiety, and depression

Ask your provider which Grand Rapids location is most convenient and whether virtual or hybrid rehab options are available, especially during severe winter weather.

Taking Your Heart Medicines Safely

Most people in Grand Rapids who have had a heart attack or been diagnosed with a heart condition will be prescribed medicines to:

  • Protect the heart muscle
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduce cholesterol
  • Prevent blood clots
  • Control heart rhythm or heart failure symptoms

Know Your Medications

It’s important to know:

  • The name of each medicine
  • Why you are taking it
  • How and when to take it
  • Possible side effects to watch for

Always:

  • Take your medicines exactly as prescribed, even if you feel well.
  • Do not stop or change doses without talking to your doctor or cardiologist.
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking:
    • Over‑the‑counter cold and flu medicines (especially important during Michigan’s long cold and flu season)
    • Pain relievers
    • Herbal supplements or vitamins

These can interact with heart medicines and may raise your blood pressure or affect your heart rhythm.

For questions, speak with:

  • Your cardiologist or primary care doctor (Corewell, Trinity, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or your local clinic)
  • Your local Grand Rapids pharmacist

Heart‑Healthy Eating in Grand Rapids

A heart‑healthy eating pattern focuses on what you eat over weeks and months, not just single foods. This way of eating is:

  • Naturally low in unhealthy fats, salt, and added sugars
  • Rich in whole grains, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats

Foods to Include Often

Aim to eat:

  • Plenty of vegetables and fruits
    • Fresh, frozen, or canned (in water or natural juice) are all good options, especially during winter when fresh produce is limited in Michigan.
  • Whole grains
    • Oats, whole‑wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa, barley
  • A variety of healthy protein‑rich foods, especially:
    • Fish and seafood (Great Lakes fish can be a good option when prepared healthfully)
    • Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas)
    • Nuts and seeds
    • Eggs and poultry as part of a balanced pattern
  • Unflavored milk, yogurt, and cheese
    • Choose reduced‑fat varieties if you have high cholesterol or heart disease.
  • Healthy fats and oils
    • Nuts, seeds, avocados, olives, and their oils
  • Herbs and spices
    • Use these to flavor foods instead of adding salt.

If you eat red meat, choose lean cuts and limit to 1–3 times per week.

For personalized guidance, ask your doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian at a Grand Rapids hospital or clinic, or through the Kent County Health Department.

Alcohol and Heart Health

If you don’t drink alcohol, there is no reason to start for your heart.

If you do drink alcohol:

  • Talk with your doctor about what is safe for you, especially if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or take heart medicines.
  • For some people with heart conditions, the safest option is not to drink at all.

Alcohol can increase blood pressure, interact with medications, and worsen certain heart conditions. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should avoid alcohol.

If you want to cut down or stop drinking, your Grand Rapids doctor or cardiac rehab team can connect you with local counseling and support services.

Physical Activity With a Heart Condition in Grand Rapids

Being active is a key part of living well with a heart condition, but it should be done safely and gradually, especially after a heart attack or surgery.

Talk to Your Doctor First

Before starting or changing an exercise routine, ask your:

  • Cardiologist
  • Cardiac rehab team
  • Primary care provider

They can help you:

  • Choose safe activities
  • Set realistic goals
  • Understand how weather (heat, humidity, or cold) may affect your heart

Staying Active in West Michigan Weather

Grand Rapids has cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers, which can impact your heart:

  • In winter, consider:
    • Indoor walking at malls (e.g., Woodland Mall, Rivertown Crossings)
    • Treadmills or stationary bikes at home or local gyms
    • Group exercise or rehab classes at local hospitals
    • Avoiding heavy snow shoveling unless cleared by your doctor
  • In summer:
    • Walk early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid heat
    • Stay hydrated
    • Avoid exercising outdoors during extreme heat or poor air quality days

Your cardiac rehab team can design a personalized activity plan that fits your fitness level, heart condition, and the West Michigan climate.

Quitting Smoking in Grand Rapids

Tobacco smoking is a major cause of heart and blood vessel disease. If you’re recovering from a heart attack, quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk of another heart attack.

Why Quitting Matters

Quitting smoking and avoiding second‑hand smoke:

  • Lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Improves circulation and lung function
  • Helps your medicines work better
  • Protects your family from second‑hand smoke, which is also dangerous

Getting Help to Quit

The most effective way to quit is with support plus stop‑smoking medicines, such as:

  • Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers)
  • Prescription medicines (talk to your doctor)

In Grand Rapids, you can:

  • Talk to your primary care provider or cardiologist about a quit plan
  • Ask about local smoking cessation programs offered through:
    • Corewell Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – U of M Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Use national quitline services and online resources recommended by your provider

If you are ready to quit or even just thinking about it, tell your doctor—they can help you choose the best method and support.

Looking After Your Mental Health

Being diagnosed with a heart condition or recovering from a heart attack can be emotionally overwhelming. It’s common to feel:

  • Sad or depressed
  • Angry or frustrated
  • Anxious or fearful
  • Lonely or confused

These feelings are often short‑term and may improve as you adjust, but it’s important not to ignore them.

You Are Not Alone

In Grand Rapids, you can get emotional and mental health support through:

  • Your cardiac rehab team
  • Your primary care provider or cardiologist
  • Local counselors, psychologists, or social workers
  • Community mental health services recommended by the Kent County Health Department
  • National mental health organizations (like those your provider can refer you to)

If you are worried about your thoughts or feelings:

  • Tell someone you trust—a family member, friend, or health professional.
  • Ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional who understands chronic illness and heart disease.

If you ever feel like you might hurt yourself or others, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency department (such as Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids).

Local and Emergency Resources in Grand Rapids

If you need help, you have several options:

  • Your GP (primary care doctor) – first contact for non‑emergency concerns, medication questions, or referrals.
  • Cardiologist or cardiac rehab program – for heart‑specific care and recovery support.
  • In an emergency: always call 911.
  • Emergency departments at:
    • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – U of M Health
    • Mercy Health facilities
  • Kent County Health Department / Grand Rapids Public Health – information on local health programs, smoking cessation, and chronic disease support.

Ask your care team for a printed list of local phone numbers and websites relevant to heart health, mental health, and quitting smoking.

Key Points for Living With a Heart Condition in Grand Rapids

  • Cardiac rehab saves lives.
    If you have had a heart attack or major heart procedure, attending cardiac rehab at a Grand Rapids hospital can reduce your risk of another heart attack and help you return to daily activities safely.

  • Tobacco smoking is a major cause of heart and blood vessel disease.
    Quitting smoking and avoiding second‑hand smoke is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your heart.

  • If you’re recovering from a heart attack, quitting smoking can reduce your risk of another heart attack.

  • Take your medicines exactly as prescribed, and always check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding over‑the‑counter medicines or supplements.

  • Follow a heart‑healthy lifestyle:

    • Eat a balanced, heart‑healthy diet
    • Be physically active in a safe, weather‑appropriate way
    • Limit or avoid alcohol
    • Manage stress and look after your mental health

Working closely with your Grand Rapids healthcare team and using local resources can help you live a full, active life with a heart condition.