When a Spartanburg woman suffered a massive heart attack on May 5, she had no idea how dramatically her life was about to change.  

At just 43 years old, Leslie Shepard suddenly found herself beginning a long and complicated medical journey—one that would test her strength, her faith and her determination to keep moving forward. 

Soon after her heart attack, testing revealed three blocked arteries, including one that was 80% blocked.  

On May 13, she underwent triple bypass surgery, followed by a week in intensive care. 

Then in August, she experienced two small heart attacks within a week, and she was later diagnosed with congestive heart failure. 

She began cardiac rehabilitation, determined to regain strength despite the setbacks. 

In early January, doctors placed four stents in her LAD artery – the main pumping chamber of the heart, which had become completely blocked. While she felt better, she still struggled with symptoms, but the return to cardiac rehab aided her recovery just when she needed it most. 

Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive program that does include personalized exercise recommendations and cardiac education of heart disease and risk factors. 

Learning that heart disease ran on her father’s side helped her understand the genetic component of her condition. 

“At first, I blamed myself,” she said. “I used to eat whatever I wanted. But I later learned this wasn’t all on me. It was in my family history.” 

Leslie also told Stacie Snyder, Manager of the Heart Wellness Center, “As a woman, I didn’t understand that my symptoms could have been different than a man’s symptoms. I learned in our classes that heart disease symptoms can be very different among people”. 

Through it all, Leslie’s faith has been her foundation. She sees her survival as a gift from God and believes she is still here for a purpose. She describes her body as something entrusted to her and works every day to take care of it—through medication, nutrition and managing her symptoms as best she can. 

Leslie has also found comfort in the care she received within the Spartanburg Regional community and specifically the team of providers with Cardiac Rehabilitation. 

On a recent Thursday, she arrived at the Heart Wellness Center to use a stationary bike and was greeted by several of the staff members who helped encourage her and monitor her. Her daughter and granddaughter met her there to join in the motivation, highlighting the importance of Leslie’s recovering so she can get back to loving her family well. 

“Seeing Leslie’s determination has been incredibly inspiring for our entire team. Her commitment shows just how powerful small, consistent changes can be in transforming heart health,” said Stacie Snyder, Cardiac Rehab Manager. “I hope others see her example and recognize that they, too, can take meaningful steps toward a stronger, healthier future.” 

Whether she was in the hospital or attending cardiac rehab, the support she felt made a difference. From nurses who checked her regularly to staff who made her feel welcome on her very first day of rehab, these connections helped her stay grounded during the most difficult moments. 

“Just walking through the door was the first step,” Shepard said. “You don’t know what you’re capable of until you try.” 

She wants others to know that they can keep fighting, too. Knowing your body and knowing the symptoms of heart disease is half the battle, she said. 

“I’m still here,” Shepard said. “And that means something.”