“Cardiac Rehab Turned My Life Around”: Vince’s Congestive Heart Failure Story
When Breathing Became a Struggle
In late 2023, 70-year-old Vincent Brumbach of Stratford, NJ thought he was coming down with a simple cold. But soon, shortness of breath and extreme fatigue made even walking a few steps impossible.
“Soon after Christmas, I was finding it harder to breathe. Eventually, I couldn’t walk more than three or four steps without stopping to rest,” Vince recalled.
As a recently retired production supervisor, he knew something was wrong. His primary care physician, Dr. Jeffrey Friedman, referred him to Cooper cardiologist Raj Patel, M.D., who ordered a series of diagnostic tests to uncover the cause.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
An early cardiac catheterization at Cooper ruled out blockages. A follow-up cardiac MRI was ordered to help determine the cause of Vince’s shortness of breath. It revealed the real problem: congestive heart failure (CHF).
Vince’s ejection fraction — a measure of how well the heart pumps blood — was only 16%. The normal range for a healthy heart is fifty percent or above.
Ejection Fraction =
Heart Pump Power
Vince was enrolled in Cooper’s Advanced Heart Failure program, under the direction of clinical cardiologist, Ketan Gala, M.D., where his health and progress would be followed. He was also given a referral for cardiac rehabilitation by Dr. Patel to improve his overall health.
Choosing Inspira’s Cardiac Rehab in Mullica Hill
With input from his son Michael, a registered nurse and Director of Nursing at Inspira Health, Vince chose the Inspira Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Mullica Hill.
“I had to convince myself to put one foot in front of the other,” Vince said. “My son explained things in a way I could understand, and that encouraged me to take the next step.”
From day one, Vince was impressed by the Inspira rehab team.
“Holy mackerel, where do I begin? The cardiac rehab team was amazing.” – Vince
“Holy mackerel, where do I begin? The cardiac rehab team was amazing.” – Vince
“They watched over me constantly, coached me, and encouraged me. They pushed me when I needed it — and told me when to slow down,” Vince recalls.
Step by Step, Back to Strength
Over 36 cardiac rehab sessions, Vince built endurance and confidence. What once seemed impossible became part of his routine.
Before cardiac rehab: Vince couldn’t take out the trash or climb six steps without stopping. After cardiac rehab: He walks around the block, joined a gym, and exercises regularly.
“They turned my life around,” Vince said. “I couldn’t even take the trash out before,” he said. Now I can walk around the block. I joined a gym! I would have never considered that without their encouragement. They inspired me to improve my health.”
A Healthier Future — for Vince and His Family
Rehab wasn’t just about exercise. With guidance from Inspira’s registered dietitian, Vince and his wife Marianne embraced better nutrition. Together, they cut sodium, added healthy spices, and built lasting habits
The results speak for themselves:
- Vince lost over 30 pounds and trimmed 2 inches from his waistline.
- His blood sugar stabilized, reducing his insulin needs.
- His ejection fraction improved to 45–50%, nearly tripling from where he began.
“It’s been a learning experience for me too,” Marianne said. “The rehab program helped our whole family.”
Back to What He Lives For
Vince credits the program for getting him “back on track.”
“I was headed in the wrong direction,” he said. “Because of them, I am now looking forward to a longer, better life.”
About Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Rehabilitation
The Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Rehabilitation Program offers a gradual, progressive, and monitored exercise program in addition to risk-reduction education and nutrition counseling – all in the name of a healthy heart. Cardiac rehab is offered at all three Inspira hospital locations in South Jersey.
Together, Cooper University Health Care and Inspira Health have created the largest cardiac program in South Jersey, giving patients like Vince access to advanced, coordinated heart care, and the support they need to thrive.
Learn more about the Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Rehabilitation Program here.
