By: Shannon Hegy

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) -- On August 31, 2009 Dirk Bohn experienced one of the scariest days of his life.

"I just couldn't believe I was having a heart attack," said Bohn.

Almost worst than his first heart attack was the fear and anxiety that followed.

"I want to live my life, but not knowing my limits would always make me cautious of doing something," said Bohn.

Now Bohn's learning his limits and possibly even reducing his risk of a repeat heart attack through Baystate Medical Center's Cardiovascular Wellness and Maintenance Program.

"There's research out there that suggests that going through cardiac rehab changes your risk factors in a positive way to the same extent that optimal medical therapy does," said manager of the program Robert Barry.

Cardiac rehabilitation includes weight management and exercise, but experts say even more importantly, it includes lifestyle counseling, stress management and nutritional advice - education crucial to heart attack survivors.

"It's a very, very, very safe environment to find out what your limits are and what you can do to alleviate that fear," said Barry.

Despite research findings, experts say only one in five patients takes advantage of the program.

"Younger guys who they think they don't need cardiac rehab because they've exercised their whole life, I want to get them back to that," said Barry.

Bohn is getting his life back, and that fear that took over after his heart attack?  It's almost gone.

"It's subsided a lot," said Bohn.  "Every week I get better and better and better."

For more information on cardiac rehab programs in your area, visit www.aacvpr.org