How the Bennetts Care for Their Hearts and Each Other Through Cardiac Rehab

Lyle and Charman Bennett are living proof that medically supervised cardiac rehabilitation can help patients feel stronger, safer and more confident.

For Lyle and Charman, cardiac rehab at Methodist Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation isn’t just part of recovery. It’s part of life. With expert clinical oversight, consistent progress tracking and a supportive community, the Bennetts have built a routine that helps them protect their heart health and stay active doing what they love.

Love Across the Continents

The Bennetts are high school sweethearts and first met across the globe in Cairo, Egypt. Their families’ international work brought them together.

They quickly fell in love and later married in Oklahoma, became parents and moved several times. Eventually, Lyle’s work with Bechtel Corporation brought them to Oak Ridge. They captured each other’s hearts in Cairo and still care for each other’s hearts in cardiac rehab. Treadmills, stationary bikes and hand weights may not be the most romantic setting for two people in love, but Lyle and Charman are here for their health and for each other.

Cardiac Rehab After Stents

Lyle began cardiac rehab in 2019 after two stents were placed in his heart to address blockages.

“The first thing I said after that procedure was, ‘Oh my goodness, I can breathe,’” Lyle says. “It was like a door had opened and fresh air was coming in.”

With a history of heart problems on both sides of his family, Lyle knew he needed to be proactive going forward. “Having a stent doesn’t fix it,” Lyle says. “It just gives you the opportunity to fix it.”

Methodist Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation provided exercise equipment for a full workout, along with medical personnel who can intervene at a moment’s notice.

Medically Supervised Cardiac Rehab

Shift manager Averice Russell, RN, explains that Methodist Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation is more than just a gym.

“We have three RNs on staff with extensive cardiac training,” Russell says. “We also have a respiratory therapist, an exercise physiologist and an on-call physician just down the hall.”

The medically supervised program helps heart patients transition from hospitalization to gentle exercise while wearing a heart monitor, and then to more active and independent exercise long-term.

“Some of these patients have been coming for 15 years,” Russell says. “It is not just an exercise program. It is a family.”

Surprising Lessons from Cardiac Rehab

Lyle’s wife, Charman, has a history of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), extra and abnormal heartbeats. Her first experience with Methodist Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation was attending nutrition classes alongside Lyle.

She was surprised by what she learned. “I thought I knew a lot,” Charman says, “but not from the perspective of a heart patient.” After listening and learning, Charman decided to self-refer and begin exercising at the facility for her own heart health.

Cardiac Rehab Benefits

The Bennetts have their own individual workout routines, separately moving toward the common goal of better heart health.

Lyle and Charman live full and active lives. Lyle is an avid golfer and amateur magician. Charman plays the guitar, creates art and tends to a kitchen garden. They’re active in their church; they take Tai Chi classes together and travel.

“I feel better in my 60s than I did in my 50s,” Charman says. “I credit this program 100 percent.”

To learn more about cardiac rehab, talk with your cardiologist or contact Methodist Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation.