Donald Reefe thought something was a little off when he had a nagging ache between his shoulders in December 2023. But he never imagined that a few weeks later he would end up in UConn Health’s Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center receiving life-saving treatment for a heart attack.

“I attribute my recovery to the hospital, of course,” says Reefe. “As well as the quick work of the doctors, the nurses, and the support staff.”

Reefe and his wife of 57 years, Jean, are thanking his care team by leaving a $1.5 million bequest to the UConn School of Medicine. The Donald and Jean Reefe Family Fund for Cardiology will support clinical technology, education, and research at the Calhoun Center.

“I am very grateful to the Reefes for their support and generosity,” says UConn School of Medicine Dean Dr. Bruce T. Liang. “I am proud of our cardiologists, providers, and researchers who bring cutting edge medical advances to benefit our patients”.

Life-Saving and Compassionate Care

Reefe knew something was wrong when he awoke one morning and felt pressure in his chest following an intense dizzy spell the night before. He called 911 and was rushed to the emergency room at UConn Health. Dr. Michael A. Azrin led the care team.

“Dr. Azrin came in and knew right away what was going on,” Reefe explains. “I don’t know how he determined it so quickly. I remember him saying the stent I needed was available and then I went right to the catheterization lab. It couldn’t have been more than 20 minutes from when I first arrived.

“I looked at the doctor, he looked at me, and I had that almost overwhelming feeling that I was in good hands. I trusted him.”

“They are very in tune with the patient and the family, which you don’t see everywhere,” Jean Reefe adds. “The doctor came up to me after and we had a real conversation. I never had a feeling they weren’t listening to us.”

Recognizing and Preventing Heart Disease

Heart disease, especially heart attack and stroke, is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the U.S. Don’t ever ignore or delay emergency care for these heart attack warning signs:

Sudden chest pain, heaviness, or tightness/squeezing
Shortness of breath
Sweating or lightheadedness
Dizziness
Nausea
Indigestion, heartburn, or an esophageal burning sensation.

Dr. Maxwell Eder, assistant professor of cardiology in the School of Medicine, advises three ways to prevent heart disease.

First, eat a daily diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and high in fiber.

Second, stay active weekly with brisk walking or other vigorous exercise. The official recommendation for exercise by the American Heart Association (AHA) is 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week with strength training two days per week.

Lastly, don’t ever smoke, or quit smoking now.