Reverend Dr. Rob Evans is a lifelong North Carolina resident. He spent his formative years in Raleigh, graduated from Broughton High School and attended North Carolina State University (NCSU) on a football scholarship where he majored in mathematics and played all four years.

Dr. Evans says, ” I thought I wanted to be a coach. After graduation, I taught math and coached at Broughton High School. After just two years, I began to struggle with this decision, and I questioned myself, ‘Is this where I’m supposed to be?'”

As Dr. Evans grappled with his future, he decided to leave teaching and coaching. He transitioned to his father’s business and during that period, he married. Just two years into this career move, Dr. Evans once again wrestled with the trajectory of his career.

He says, “I then shocked my wife because she thought she’d married a businessman, but turns out I felt the call to ministry.”

The young couple packed up and went to a seminary school in Richmond, Virginia where they remained for four years. He earned his doctorate in ministry and returned to North Carolina to pastor various churches. After 35 years, he retired, and the couple returned to Raleigh to be close to their only son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Life took him full circle.

During these many years, Dr. Evans never lost sight of his passion for fitness and sports. He remained committed to cheering on NCSU and keeping in shape.

“I always look forward to college football season here,” says Dr. Evans.

Enjoying a Sporty Retirement

An avid sportsman in retirement — in very good health with low cholesterol and normal blood pressure — it was during that time that Dr. Evans experienced odd symptoms following a workout.

Dr. Evans says, “On January 28, 2022, I was working out on the elliptical at our local gym where we had a membership. Afterwards, I began to break out into an unusual sweat and felt indigestion-type symptoms.”

Concerned, he told his wife that they should go to WakeMed Raleigh Campus Emergency Department since it was the closest.

Shocking Heart Attack Diagnosis

Once in the hospital, the emergency department care team performed an electrocardiogram (EKG). as well as blood tests. The results of the EKG came back normal, but the blood work revealed his troponin enzyme levels were high, which is a sign of a heart attack.

Dr. Evans stayed at WakeMed Raleigh Campus overnight and underwent a heart catheterization on January 29. The catheterization procedure showed that Dr. Evans had suffered a non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) heart attack.

An NSTEMI is a type of heart attack that occurs when an individual’s heart has oxygen needs that are not met. Considered less damaging, it involves a partly blocked coronary artery that causes reduced blood flow.

“The team determined I had a blocked right coronary artery.”

With this diagnosis, he was released home with follow-up care through his cardiologist. Dr. Evans visited his cardiologist who sent him for further testing, and on February 18, a second catheterization was performed and a stent was placed.

Regaining Confidence and Stamina in WakeMed Cardiac Rehab

After this second procedure, Dr. Evans was referred for cardiac rehab and entered the WakeMed Cardiac Rehab Program in April 2022 at the HealthWorks on the WakeMed Raleigh Campus. On the first day in Cardiac Rehab, Dr. Evans received an initial assessment and evaluation. The team determined he should attend Cardiac Rehab classes twice weekly.

Dr. Evans says, “When I started the program, I was doing cardio work on various machines, such as the elliptical and treadmill. It was going well.”

On April 19, 2022, while at Cardiac Rehab, Dr. Evans began experiencing chest pain. He went immediately to the hospital and the care team performed a nuclear stress test using dye to see if the blood vessels were open. There were no blockages.

Relieved, Dr. Evans returned to Cardiac Rehab on April 22.

He says, “After I had a heart attack, I was on a heightened alert.”

Realizing there was a fear factor involved in Dr. Evans recovery, Molly and Ethan, the WakeMed physiologists, worked closely with him and pushed him to get back on the elliptical. Moreover, many dietitians, nurses, specialists, counselors and staff demonstrated kindness and compassion as Dr. Evans regained his confidence.

Receiving Comprehensive Care in Cardiac Rehab

The sessions consisted of an initial check-in monitoring assessment to ensure Dr. Evans was in the clear to proceed with exercise. This was followed by a short warm-up session to increase his heart rate, increase blood circulation to his muscles and raise his body temperature to prepare his heart and body for exercise.

After the warm-up, Dr. Evans had 30 to 40 minutes of supervised cardiovascular exercise using medically-indicated equipment. This included the treadmill, the rower, the NuStep, the arm ergometer, the semi-recumbent and the stationary bicycles, the elliptical cross training and the indoor walking track.

Resistance training was the next phase in the process and could last for up to 10 minutes with the use of bands and dumbells. Exercise and fitness specialists led this portion of each session, carefully monitoring and modifying exercises for the safest and most effective workout.

Not only did he receive guidance to strengthen his heart and prevent future heart-related medical emergencies, but Dr. Evans also received expert advice on heart healthy eating habits.

Astounding Success and Incredible Outcomes

On June 28, Dr. Evans graduated from Cardiac Rehab, successfully completing 24 sessions.

• From April 2022 to June 2022, Dr. Evans lost over 12 pounds and 2.5 inches off his waist. This brought his overall body composition from a “poor” category to “fair.”
• He started rehab using four pound dumbbells and increased to 10 pound dumbbells during the strength training portion. That’s a significant leap.
• During his exit exercise testing, he gained 3.6 METS! This improved his physical capacity from a “moderate intensity” to “vigorous intensity.”

Not only did Dr. Evans improve his body composition and physical fitness, but the biggest improvement was his confidence. Dr. Evans started Cardiac Rehab cautious and guarded since he had his NSTEMI after exercising on an elliptical. After the care team decided he was clinically sound to work at a more intense fitness level, they urged him to start off doing a few minutes on the elliptical to conquer his fear. Slowly as his confidence improved, he was able to exercise 20+ minutes on the elliptical. This not only expedited his physical gains but more importantly his confidence.

Feeling Great and Striving for More Wins

Today, Dr. Evans is enjoying his life and his family again.

He says, “My stamina increased while I was in the program. To date, I have lost 38 pounds. They taught me that I needed to do 150 minutes of cardio each week, so I ride my bike, play golf and lift weights. I follow a low fat and low sodium diet. I drink a lot more water than before the heart attack. I was initially on blood pressure medicine following the heart attack, but I was able to come off of the medication. I now take a standard of three heart medications.”

Molly, his physiologist, is especially proud and teases, “Dr. Evans will live forever — he was always pleasant and sharing positive vibes! Dr. Rob Evans was a person that expressed his gratitude with each visit. It was a pleasure to encourage, support and foster his mental and physical improvements. He brought joy to all around him!”

Dr. Evans says, “I feel good knowing that I probably have a few more years to be with my family. I am grateful for the confidence that I am okay. I don’t worry about a little ache here or there. I’ve not had those exact same heart attack symptoms again. My health has returned.”

---

About Cardiac Rehab

WakeMed Cardiac Rehab offers a safe, monitored environment where you can gain the strength, confidence, camaraderie and nutritional know-how you need to live a heart-healthy life.

The WakeMed Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation team works with you to develop a program that’s right for you. In general, here is what you can expect:

• An initial education and consultation meeting with the exercise/fitness specialist and nurse
• Six to 36 monitored, group exercise sessions
• Up to five small group nutrition education sessions
• Up to two individual sessions with a psychosocial counselor