11/12/2025
Richard Miller was pedaling away on an exercise bike when everything went black.
The longtime Janesville-area educator doesn’t remember a thing, but his Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab classmates and SSM Health caregivers will never forget.
“I went into sudden total cardiac arrest and had no pulse,” Richard said. “It’s fair to say I died … but my angels, nurses Dori, Audrey, and Kerri, brought me back to life.”
Richard was diagnosed with heart failure in 2017. Since then, he has faithfully participated in a supervised exercise routine at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital–Janesville each week.
His personalized Cardiac Rehab program is designed to strengthen his heart, prevent further damage, and offer continuous education on healthy lifestyle choices.
“I believe the years of work I’ve put in at Cardiac Rehab are part of the reason I was in good enough physical condition to survive,” he said.
On that fateful day, everything seemed normal. When Richard collapsed suddenly, a fellow classmate reached out to help and the SSM Health team sprang into action.
It was the kind of emergency Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab professionals train for but hope to never experience.
For six long minutes, Dori, Audrey, Kerri, and other emergency response team members administered chest compressions and provided oxygen. Meanwhile, Richard’s classmates, who are truly more like family, gathered in another room to pray. His pulse slowly returned. Just minutes later, he was alert and ready for emergency transport, though clearly in pain from the cardiac arrest and chest compressions.
“It wasn’t great to see how agitated he was,” said Sheryl, his wife of 57 years. “But I saw it as a good sign that he still had a fighting spirit.”
Richard was placed in a medically induced coma for several days before receiving a pacemaker defibrillator. After a month of inpatient care, he was able to return home and continue his long recovery.
On August 13, nearly 8 years to the day since beginning his Cardiac Rehab journey, Richard returned to work out. His classmates had been eagerly awaiting the day.
“I wasn’t really afraid to return,” Richard said. “I’m just grateful I was in the right place at the right time when everything happened.”
Audrey Smith, whom Richard recently honored with a special “Halo Award” alongside Dori and Kerri, remembers the day vividly.
“We’re all so relieved to have Rich back with us and doing well,” she said. “At the time of the code, the adrenaline and our training took over … we’re just now starting to truly reflect on the magnitude of what happened.”
Richard refuses to let fear of another cardiac event hold him back. He acknowledges other ‘lucky’ moments in his life and says his perspective has shifted.
He now finds even greater joy in small moments and holds a deeper appreciation for the most important people in his life: Sheryl, his three sons, and their families.
“I’m blessed as all get out,” Richard said. “And if people learn anything from my experience, it’s to let life happen to you and embrace each day … it’s a joy to be alive.”
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Learn more about your risk https://www.ssmhealth.com/access/health-risk-assessments/heart-risk-assessment?hgcrm_channel=organic_social&hgcrm_source=other&hgcrm_agency=client&utm_source=organic&utm_medium=miscellaneous&hgcrm_campaignid=18316&hgcrm_tacticid=32861&hgcrm_trackingsetid=47061 .
