PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A dynamic duo is on a life-saving mission fighting heart disease with fitness during American Heart Month.
It’s a journey of survival for Jeff Perez working out with his daughter Stephanie in Northeast Philadelphia.
“I feel better, I feel stronger,” he said.
For 12 years now, the 62-year-old has been struggling with cardiomyopathy, a weak heart muscle.
“I was starting to have a lot of chest pain, a lot of shortness of breath,” Perez said.
With his heart failing, he said he’ll eventually need a heart transplant. For now, he’s being kept alive with an LVAD, which is like an external heart pump.
There are thousands of people like Perez waiting for transplants. He’s hoping to improve his odds by being in the best shape he can.
Stephanie, the general manager of Planet Fitness in Northeast Philadelphia, is overseeing her dad’s fitness routine.
“It’s really nice to just have him here,” she said. “I always check on him.”