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Anxiety or a heart attack

Dean Daniels is a retired veteran. He spends a lot of time hiking with his two Giant Schnauzers, golfing and swimming. Dean has followed his routine for years. He is also careful about what he eats. 

Dean thought he was doing everything he could to take care of his heart. 

However, he didn’t consider his family’s history of heart disease.

On the afternoon of June 23, 2024, Dean felt a burning and numbness sensation in his arms. Next, his teeth and jaw went numb. Then, he felt like there was a cement block on his chest.

Unsure of what it could be, he thought it must be anxiety and took a prescription medication he had. Regretfully, the symptoms didn’t go away, so late that night, he asked his wife to take him to the Genesis HealthCare System Emergency Department in Zanesville. 

 

Life-saving care

After undergoing tests, Dean was quickly scheduled for surgery. 

“Dean had 99% blockage in his left main coronary artery,” said Trevor Ellison, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Medical Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery. “The left main coronary artery gives blood to the entire left side of the heart, and his left coronary artery system was the dominant system in his heart, which is seen in about 15% of the population. We performed a double coronary artery bypass grafting by taking an artery from the inside of his chest and a vein from his leg to create a new path for blood to flow to the heart.”

Dean remained in the hospital for a week.

“The Genesis team was outstanding,” said Dean. “Every person there, from the doctors to the nurses, treated me with compassion. They were tremendous. I felt proud that our hospital in Zanesville provided such great care."

“I recommend Genesis to everyone I know, including my friends in Columbus.” – Dean Daniels

 

One step at a time

After his procedure, Dean started his recovery through the Genesis Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. He said the Cardiac Rehab team is supportive and watch while you exercise. They made him feel safe on his road to recovery.

“It is hard to believe how far I have progressed in such a short amount of time,” said Dean. 

Thirteen weeks after his procedure, Dean hiked a mile and a half with his two dogs in the woods and golfed nine holes. 

“I’ve always eaten healthy and exercised,” said Dean. “However, I didn’t seriously consider genetics. You need to know your family history and talk to your doctor about it. We could have taken precautions. I’m lucky Genesis gave me another chance. My other advice is if you don’t feel well, to get medical help immediately. Don’t wait.”

Maintaining good health as you age is usually a combination of things.

“Dean had a significant family history of heart disease in relatives under the age of 50,” said Dr. Ellison. “When heart disease runs in families at a young age, an individual has the risk of having heart disease at a young age, even younger than their relatives were diagnosed. It is important when patients have a history of premature coronary artery disease to ensure that their primary care physician and cardiologist know about it. Also, patients should remain vigilant for symptoms of heart disease such as chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, lightheadedness with activity, nausea, sweating or generalized fatigue.”

 

Trevor Ellison, M.D., Ph.D., MBA

Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Medical Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute

Trevor A. Ellison, MD
Top 50 heart hospital

Genesis is one of America's Top 50 Heart Hospitals

For the 2nd year in a row, as rated by Fortune Magazine and PINC AI.

Learn more
 

Learn more at genesishcs.org/heart. 

 

Dean Daniels

Dean thought he was doing everything he could to take care of his heart. However, he didn’t consider his family’s history of heart disease.

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Vein therapy brings golfer back to his feet

Varicose vein treatment was not something David Desender expected to discuss with his doctor while seeking care for heart arrhythmia concerns.

During an appointment at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute with Grant V. Chow, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Cardiac Electrophysiologist, David shared that his ankles would sometimes swell.

Dr. Chow asked if David was experiencing pain and if he could refer him to the Genesis Vein Center.

“I’ve always gone to Genesis,” said David. “It’s the go-to place.”

Ahmed Habib, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Cardiologist and Vein Specialist at the Genesis Vein Center, soon evaluated David’s symptoms with a quick ultrasound. Dr. Habib is the director of the accredited outpatient facility, offering comprehensive treatment options for patients with vein concerns.

 

A non-surgical procedure

David was diagnosed with chronic venous disease. Dr. Habib recommended ablation vein treatments for both legs. The non-surgical procedure uses heat to treat the abnormal veins, resulting in closure and improvement in circulation and symptoms.

David is an avid golfer. Dr. Habib said that walking on the golf course as regular exercise and maintaining an ideal body weight helped slow the progression of the disease.

Chronic vein disease affects about 30 million Americans. Weakened valves cause blood to flow backward, leading to spider and varicose veins, swelling, burning, aching, restless legs and skin discoloration. If left untreated, varicose vein symptoms can lead to more serious complications, such as ulcers and blood clots, which can become life-threatening.

“Unfortunately, only about half a million Americans seek varicose vein care,” said Dr. Habib. “When treated in the early stages, we can offer significant improvement in a patient’s quality of life.”

David’s treatment plan included four short endovenous procedures. His confidence in Genesis made the decision easy.

“I believe in Genesis,” said David. “I trusted Dr. Habib’s expertise.”

 

Acing the recovery

"I’ve always gone to Genesis. It’s the go-to place."

With the advancement of technology, minimally invasive techniques have eliminated the need for open surgery, known as vein stripping. Dr. Habib said the recovery time for varicose vein treatment has improved over the years, making David’s procedures a popular option.

“Patients who underwent vein stripping used to spend two to three days in the hospital. It would take three to four weeks to return to work,” said Dr. Habib. “Now, I tell patients they can go shopping after they finish the 10-15-minute procedure done in our office. No cuts, stitches or sutures are involved.”

Dr. Habib said no anesthesia or IVs are needed for the ablation vein procedure. Improvements often result as soon as one week, and relief is sustainable for several years.

David quickly returned to the golf course after the four treatments. “I’m happy with everything,” he said. “My legs are in great shape. It made a big difference.”

Learn more at genesishcs.org/veincenter.

 

 

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Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

David Desender Chronic Vein Disease

Dr. Chow asked if David was experiencing pain and if he could refer him to the Genesis Vein Center.

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Cycling to recovery: Heart care close to home 

Pastor Andy Winters began his Easter Sunday 2024 sermon with a thank-you for support following a sudden heart attack.

 

“Life changes fast,” Andy told his Zanesville Christian and Missionary Alliance Church congregation, where he has been lead pastor since 2006.

 

Andy started March 18, 2024, like many Mondays. He prepared for a church meeting and worked on his next sermon. He then headed to the gym for a routine workout.

 

Andy felt discomfort while using a machine and attributed it to asthma. Pressure built in his chest after he moved to a second machine. He wasn’t sure what to do next. 

 

No heart attack drills in life

“I decided to press on and keep going,” said Andy. He wondered if the trouble was with his heart. “I soon realized something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t walk things off.”

 

He managed to walk downstairs to the locker room. After showering, he was still soaked in sweat. Andy said he was stumbling, unable to pick up his phone.

 

He walked to the parking lot, hoping to drive to the hospital. “I probably should have stopped exercising sooner than I did,” said Andy. “I didn’t know all the things you should do. We don’t have heart attack drills like fire drills.”

 

Andy realized he had left his phone behind and drove to the entrance, asking someone to retrieve it.

 

Andy called his wife, Cyndi. “Now, don’t panic,” Andy said. “But I think I’m having a heart attack ... could you come and get me?” 

 

Urgent response 

Cyndi quickly advised Andy to call 911. Members of Genesis Community Ambulance began treating Andy on the scene before rushing him to the hospital.

 

Andy asked God for strength. He told an emergency medical technician (EMT) to tell Cyndi he loved her. The EMT replied, “Oh no, you’re going to tell her yourself.”

 

Arriving at the Genesis Emergency Department, he was quickly rushed to the cardiac catheterization lab for an emergent procedure. Andy’s anterior heart wall artery, notoriously known as the widowmaker artery, was 100% blocked. The vessel was emergently opened, and two stents were placed.

 

Kinan Kassar, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Interventional Cardiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute, was Andy’s heart doctor.

 

“When Andy arrived at the Emergency Department, his heart condition was critical,” said Dr. Kassar. “Our EMTs did an exceptional job stabilizing him until we could perform the life-saving procedure.” 

 

“My care was excellent.”

 

Returning to the bike

Andy was discharged in two days. He compliments Dr. Kassar and Genesis Community Ambulance for their excellent care. Andy encourages others to trust their medical symptoms and seek help as soon as possible.

 

As Andy continues recovering from the heart stent procedure, he has returned to his active lifestyle, including long walks and workouts. He is also back to biking. This past summer, he completed a 120-mile ride in Michigan with friends. 

Heart attack symptoms

The American Heart Association provides these warning signs of a heart attack. Men and women experience varying symptoms. Even if you don’t think it’s a heart attack, immediately call 911 for help. 

  • Chest pain or discomfort.
  • Arm or shoulder discomfort or pain.
  • Feeling a cold sweat.
  • Pain in the jaw, neck or back.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Vomiting, feeling lightheaded or nauseous. 

Learn more at genesishcs.org/heart. 

 

 

Ready to get healthy?

Sign up for our digital newsletters to receive health tips, recipes, success stories for inspiration and information about new doctors to help you on your journey to better health.

 

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Andy Winters

Pastor Andy Winters has returned to his active lifestyle following a sudden heart attack. He encourages others to trust their medical symptoms and seek help as soon as possible.  

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Heart shocking news

On pace to a better life

Vicci Biles noticed that she was short of breath, tired from walking to one side of the house from the other and was not able to work in her flowers like she used to. Her smartwatch notified her that her heart was 100% in A-Fib. After consulting her sister, who works in healthcare, she called her doctor to see what was happening. Vicci took action, and because of this, she was able to go on a two-week-long vacation with her husband, Lee Biles, like they used to.

 

Out of rhythm

Atrial Fibrillation, better known as A-Fib, is a diagnosis that Grant V. Chow, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Electrophysiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute works with most days. Dr. Chow immediately diagnosed Vicci with a heart flutter when he first saw her. Ultimately, he inserted a pacemaker to align Vicci’s heartbeat.

 

Placing a pacemaker is a simple procedure. General anesthesia is used so you do not feel any pain during the procedure, it is similar to being in a light sleep. The doctors insert the pacemaker through a small incision and to make sure that the leads (wires) are placed in the correct spot they use a X-Ray machine.

 

“When your heart is out of rhythm, in A-Fib, it causes your body to not pump as much blood as it should,” said Dr. Chow. “This is because there is a problem with the electrical system that controls the pumping of blood. The pacemaker can solve this problem by putting the heart back into rhythm, therefore enabling the electrical systems to pump a normal amount of blood.”

 

Back on track

"I never would have been able to do everything on the trip if I hadn’t received the pacemaker."

 

After the pacemaker procedure was complete, Vicci immediately felt better. She was up and walking that night. She could not thank Dr. Chow enough.

 

“The pacemaker made me feel like I was in my 50s instead of in my 80s,” Vicci stated.

 

After Vicci returned home from the hospital, she and her husband immediately booked a two-week trip overseas to the Netherlands. One of the sites on Vicci’s bucket list was to see the tulips in bloom in Holland. Every day on their vacation Vicci and her husband took about 12,000 to 15,000 steps.

 

“I never would have been able to do everything on the trip if I hadn’t received the pacemaker. I became winded so quickly before. During our vacation, we were able to walk all day,” said Vicci.

 

When she is not traveling overseas Vicci is active at home. She notices that she has a lot more energy. She recently baked 150 cookies and did not get tired while baking or icing them.

 

She and her husband have been married for 63 years, and now that Vicci has a pacemaker, her husband jokes that he wants one.

“I want a pacemaker now because I have seen how much better my wife feels,” said Lee.

 

“This procedure is done to help you stay out of the hospital and live longer,” Dr. Chow explains. “We are so happy to hear that Vicci is doing well and traveling the way she used to. Vicci is just one of the patients with A-Fib we have treated at Genesis. She is a great example that the pacemaker works for patients with A-Fib and that you can be more active after the procedure.”

Heart Shocking News

On pace to a better life.

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An accident survivor's advice: trust yourself

Amber Allen was exiting the driver’s side of a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle (ATV) when her foot caught on the edge of the vehicle’s bottom frame. With her right leg stuck in the ATV, Amber fell until her left knee slammed into gravel. She scrambled up, embarrassed, and took three or four steps. Just then, someone stopped and pointed to blood soaking Amber’s pant leg.

 

When she pulled her pant leg up, Amber knew something was wrong. So did her boyfriend, who had first-aid training. “It was gushing blood,” Amber said. “I remember being shocked that slipping was turning into such a big ordeal.”

 

Her boyfriend used his belt as a tourniquet to stop the flow of blood. They called for an ambulance and Amber was quickly taken to a trauma room when she reached Genesis Hospital. A CT scan showed that she’d sliced an artery. The injury required two layers of stitches, one set internally and the other externally.

 

Know when to seek care

A week later, during which she had to keep her splinted leg perfectly straight, Amber was getting ready for a family party when she had trouble catching her breath. Chalking it up to asthma, the change of seasons and fatigue from using crutches, she kept going. She had to tell her sister to slow down as they walked a few doors down to the party. Later in the week, she borrowed a lift chair so she could get up and down without feeling completely exhausted. She said she felt like she was going to die.

 

Unfortunately, the people around her downplayed her complaints, reminding her of her asthma and the physical toll of recovering from an accident.

 

When it got to the point where she couldn’t walk two feet, Amber said, “This isn’t normal,” and demanded that someone drive her to a doctor. Genesis FirstCare in New Lexington immediately rerouted her to the Emergency Department at Genesis Hospital, where a CT scan showed both lungs full of blood clots. In medical terms, these are called pulmonary emboli.

 

The next day, Amber had surgery to remove the clots. “I immediately felt better,” she said. “Once they told me I could get up and move around, I was on the move.”

 

However, she had to stay another night for observation because the right ventricle of her heart was enlarged due to the clots.

 

Amber has had one follow-up appointment with Abdulhay Albirini, M.D., a Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Interventional Cardiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute who performed her procedure. She is doing well but will take blood thinners for a while to prevent new blood clots from forming.

 

“Amber did the right thing by insisting to seek medical attention.”

 

Grateful for care

“I’ve heard of people dying from a clot in their lungs the size of a pebble,” Amber said. “I escaped death twice in a few weeks thanks to Genesis.”

 

She’s thankful for the care Dr. Albirini and the team showed her in the hospital. Dr. Albirini let her family look at the clots and explained what they were seeing. “The nurses had such great personalities,” she said. They joked and made her hospital stay much easier.

 

Amber knows she’s lucky that she survived despite the time between her symptoms and her trip to the hospital. “I’m glad that God was patient with me,” she said. If she has any advice, it’s to stand your ground when you feel something is wrong. She is already urging friends and family to ignore anyone who minimizes or dismisses symptoms. “Trust your instincts,” she said. “You live in that body, and you know when something is wrong.”

 

Dr. Albirini said, “Amber did the right thing by insisting to seek medical attention.”


 

After tripping, Amber Allen escaped tragedy twice in a few weeks.

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Check-up: A widowmaker heart attack leads to more family milestones

Tami Swope walked into the Genesis HealthCare System Emergency Department (ED) on Nov. 8, 2018, and learned she was suffering a heart attack. Her left anterior descending artery (LAD) was 100% blocked. The LAD is the most important artery in the heart, and an attack like Tami’s is often referred to as a widowmaker.

 

The medical team from the ED and Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute stabilized Tami. Then they took her to surgery to insert a wire through her clogged artery so they could inflate a tiny balloon and clear the blockage. Next, they inserted two small tubes called stents where the blockage was to keep blood flowing.

Crisis averted.

 

Life after a heart attack

Tami lost eight days due to her heart attack. She decided she didn’t want to lose another day.

 

Abdulhay Albirini, M.D., a Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Interventional Cardiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute, met with Tami for follow-up care and advised her to attend the Genesis Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

 

“The Cardiac Rehab Program gave me the tools I needed to recover and stay healthy,” said Tami. “They helped me regain my strength and endurance, scheduled testing for me, helped with my medications and advised me on a diet and exercise program.”

 

Tami credits the Cardiac Rehab Program for doing more than getting her back on her feet. Due to their guidance and her determination, she is back on the links golfing with friends. She also supports the community by volunteering at festivals and golf outings and routinely attends her grandchildren’s sporting events.

 

“Tami had a severe heart attack,” said Dr. Albirini. “However, she had a lot more she wanted to do, so she followed our recommendations. She has recovered and is actively enjoying life.”

 

Living the life she wants

It has been five years since her heart attack, and Tami is going strong. She follows the advice from the Cardiac Rehab Program and keeps her routine checkups with Dr. Albirini.

 

Recently she celebrated with her family as her first grandchild graduated high school. She plans to be there for each of her grandchildren’s graduations. The same goes for holidays, family reunions and more. From summer golf days to baking snacks for grandchildren, Tami is soaking up milestones and memories with her family.

 

“I’m grateful for Genesis extending the time I have with my family and friends,” said Tami. “I am also thankful for the Cardiac Rehab Program for enabling me to live an active life, which to me, is the best life.”

 

 

The not so secret to success

Tami Swope credits the Genesis Heart and Vascular Cardiac Rehab Program with her successful and continuing recovery from a 2018 cardiac arrest.

 

The program is a safe way to bounce back after a heart attack, open-heart surgery or balloon angioplasty.

 

The focus of rehab education is understanding the causes and effects of heart disorders. Dietitians, pharmacists, exercise physiologists, behavioral health counselors and registered nurses help patients understand heart disease, its risk factors and what patients can do to  
change their risks.

 

Another goal of the program is to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Group sessions enable patients to share experiences, concerns, challenges and victories and gain support from others who understand how they feel.

 

A personalized exercise program is created for each patient. Patients exercise under the watchful eye of staff with ECG and blood pressure monitoring when they first enter the program.

 

As strength, endurance and range of motion improve, patients progress toward maintenance exercise. Exercise physiologists can work with patients and monitor their progress.

 

Tami continues to attend exercise classes several times a week, keeping an exercise journal that is now five years old. The food journal that she started in the program continues, too.

 

Genesis Heart and Vascular Rehab is located in the Genesis Physician Pavilion at 945 Bethesda Drive in Zanesville. Call 740-454-4336 to make an appointment and learn more about our cardiac rehab offerings.

We're checking in on patients whose stories we've shared in the last five years.

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Heart Patient Advises Not to Wait if Something Seems Unusual

At first, it seemed like any other day. Karl Kirby, age 57, of Zanesville, had just finished doing laundry. And while he felt fine when he woke up that morning, as the day wore on, he began to feel worse.

“I had chest pain, and I was sweating profusely,” said Karl. “Then I realized I hadn’t eaten all day. I figured maybe I just needed some food.”

Karl ate a sandwich, but it didn’t help. So, he sat down to watch TV, thinking maybe he was tired and needed to relax. 
That didn’t help either. He was running out of options and finally went to the bedroom to lay down. When his wife saw him, she was worried and asked, “Are you okay?” Karl realized he wasn’t, so they drove to the hospital.

EKG detects a STEMI

When they got to the Emergency Department (ED) at Genesis HealthCare System, the care team immediately attached small electrodes to Karl’s arms, legs and chest to perform an electrocardiogram, also called an EKG or ECG, a device that monitors the heart.

“His EKG showed changes that suggested an acute heart attack,” said Alaa Gabi, M.D., Fellowship-trained Interventional Cardiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute, who oversaw Karl’s care. “This is also called an ST elevation myocardial infarction or STEMI.”

Balloon and stent procedure

Next, the care team rushed Karl to the Genesis cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab). Heart specialists can perform a full range of minimally invasive tests and advanced heart procedures using the most current imaging technology in the cath lab. This allows the doctors to diagnose and treat blockages and other problems in the arteries without patients undergoing surgery.

In the cath lab, Dr. Gabi placed two stents in Karl’s arteries, which opened the blockages causing the heart attack. The procedure involves inserting a tiny balloon into the blocked artery and then inflating it. Next, a stent (small mesh tube) was inserted to keep the artery open. 

“As soon as the stents were placed, I felt normal again. There was no more chest pain.”

“Dr. Gabi called my condition a STEMI. At the time, I didn’t know what that meant. But now I know it’s the second most deadly heart attack,” said Karl. “As soon as the stents were placed, I felt normal again. There was no more chest pain.”

Don’t DIY your trip to the ED

When asked if he has any words of wisdom for others who might be experiencing chest pain or symptoms, Karl advises, “Do not drive yourself to the hospital. Call an ambulance. I learned after this happened to me – they have resources in the ambulances that can help until you reach the hospital.”

Top-notch and A #1

After Karl’s procedure, his care team recommended he go to the Genesis Heart & Vascular Cardiac Rehab Center to strengthen his heart. Karl began a program working on a treadmill and several other exercise machines. Karl explained he started using the machines for three minutes at a time, three times a week, then gradually worked up from there.

“It was awesome. The rehab group was top-notch, A #1. It really helped,” said Karl.

At first, it seemed like any other day. Karl Kirby, age 57, of Zanesville, had just finished doing laundry. And while he felt fine when he woke up that morning, as the day wore on, he began to feel worse.

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LiveWell Patient Story: "You can't out-exercise a bad diet"

Most people describe 66-year-old Ken Williams of Zanesville as one of the most active people they know. After a career as a funeral director, he started a new chapter in retirement, painting houses and mowing lawns. Then, in his free time, he played golf and did yoga. Ken also enjoyed taking frequent walks with his wife.

As if that weren’t enough, up until 2017, he was an avid runner and ran marathons. “Unfortunately, my knees got so bad I could barely walk, so I quit running and had knee replacement surgery in 2018,” said Ken.

From running to cycling

After surgery, his passion turned to indoor cycling. Never one to sit still, he soon signed up for his gym’s indoor “Cycle Across Ohio” challenge where racers logged miles on their stationary bikes. Not only was he the oldest participant, he won the event. Ken continued to cycle several times a week. However, he noticed changes when he was working out at the gym. “I wasn’t getting the same miles and couldn’t burn the calories like I used to,” he said.

“I was in shock”

On Sunday, April 25, 2021, Ken and his wife went to church. Ken recalls the minister touched on the topics of depression and anxiety. While he listened, his chest began to hurt. Ken describes the pain as “Not bad, like a three out of 10.” At first, Ken thought the sermon was making him feel anxious. However, he soon realized something was not right and that it would be a good idea for his wife to drive him to the hospital.

At Genesis, Emergency Department staff rapidly assessed Ken and did a blood test. “The blood test showed I had a heart attack,” said Ken. “When they told me, I went into shock and passed out.” Ken quickly came around after he was given medication. He was stabilized and scheduled for a cardiac catherization the next day.

Expert care, right at home

Before his heart attack, Ken was not aware that nationally accredited, award-winning cardiac care was available in his hometown of Zanesville. Led by fellowship-trained and board-certified heart specialists, the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute was the first in Southeastern Ohio to become a fully accredited Chest Pain Center. “Mr. Williams had a non-stemi, which means he had a heart attack but was stable at the time of evaluation and didn’t require immediate intervention,” said Abdulhay Albirini, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-Certified Interventional Cardiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute.

Balloon and stent procedure

The next day, Dr. Albirini performed a balloon and stent procedure. A heart catheter was inserted through an artery in Ken’s wrist, which allowed the doctor to move a tiny balloon to his heart arteries and inflate it to open the blockage. Dr. Albirini then placed stents to keep the blocked arteries open so the blood could flow properly. The procedure took less than one hour. The next day, Ken was able to go home.

“In a few days, I was able to do whatever I wanted. I was given medication in case I had chest pain, but I never needed it,” said Ken.

Since it happened, Ken took a hard look at his life and lifestyle, especially since heart disease doesn’t run in his family. He was honest with himself and realized he needed to lose weight. Ken’s pre-heart attack diet included high-sugar and high-fat foods like ice cream, pop and sausage. Post-heart attack and wiser, Ken’s given those foods up for options like fresh fruits and vegetables.

“I’ve completely changed my diet, and I feel much better. For breakfast, I may have blueberry yogurt and a banana,” said Ken. So far, Ken has lost 32 pounds. Ken also admits his wife and two adult sons, both marathon runners, encouraged him to lose weight prior to his heart attack.

“I always exercised, but I was overweight and didn’t eat right,” admits Ken. “My wife summed it up best. She said, ‘You can’t out-exercise a bad diet.’”

A second chance at life

Nowadays, Ken continues to stay active and has added pickleball into the mix. But what’s different is he also stays disciplined about what he eats. “Dr. Albirini did a great job. I consider this a second chance at life,” said Ken. “I also think it is important to know that you can live a normal life after having stents put in. One of my friends I met with recently told me he has had his stents for 18 years. That was very encouraging.”

Most people describe 66-year-old Ken Williams of Zanesville as one of the most active people they know. However, he
noticed changes when he was working out at the gym.

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LiveWell Patient Story: MitraClip nips heart valve leakage

Duane McFarland has experienced strokes, heart attacks, double pneumonia, sepsis and open-heart quadruple bypass surgery. No wonder he values quality healthcare.

“It feels like I’m 67 going on 87 years old. My mom died of congestive heart failure, and I started the treacherous path of heart disease 30 years ago. I wouldn’t be here without the expert care of the Genesis doctors and nurses, my wife, Linda and God above,” Duane said.

Something’s not right


Duane had a strange feeling whenever he stepped outside. “When fresh, cool air hit my lungs, it hurt. Not a sharp pain, just a steady pressure,” Duane explained. “It felt like someone was putting his hand on my chest and constantly pushing.”

The skilled Genesis medical teams combined information from Duane’s medical history with observations about his chest pain, ran tests and then found the problem. Linda is thankful the doctors diagnosed her husband’s symptoms. “He’d had shortness of breath for a few years even though he’d quit smoking. He couldn’t walk 50 feet without getting short of breath,” Linda said. “We’re pleased that a test showed the problem,” she said.

“An echocardiogram revealed a severe mitral valve leak in Duane’s heart,” explained Alaa Gabi, M.D., fellowship-trained and board-certified interventional cardiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute. “When his heart muscle squeezed, blood was going past the valve barrier, regurgitating back into his lungs.”

Human hearts have four valves to keep blood flowing in the correct direction. Each of those valves has flaps that open and close with every heartbeat. One of Duane’s valves, called the mitral valve, had flaps that weren’t closing correctly.

“There are two types of mitral valve leaks – one stems from a problem with the valve itself, and the other is associated with underlying heart disease or rhythm issues. Duane had both. The good news is, both leaky valve types can be repaired with the new, advanced MitraClip treatment,” Dr. Gabi said.

An innovative, minimally invasive repair

“The doctors told me blood was pouring into my lungs and they could use a little clip to make the valve work right,” Duane said.

To restore proper blood flow, specialized heart and vascular teams at Genesis collaborated to perform a minimally invasive procedure using the MitraClip technology. First, the interventional team guided a thin tube, called a catheter, from a vein in Duane’s leg to his heart. Then, the interventional team fastened the faulty valve flaps together with the small MitraClip device. The innovative technology secured the flap closure more completely.

“Prior to the MitraClip, patients like Duane were left untreated because they had too many risk factors for open-heart surgery,” Dr. Gabi said. “This procedure is designed to improve quality of life and increase the length of life.”

Duane testifies he’s experienced both of those benefits. “I couldn’t keep on going the way I was. I could barely breathe. Now, I feel a lot better, and I’m able to breathe again,” Duane said.

Heart healers

To provide the advanced, minimally invasive, leaky valve repairs, multidisciplinary teams of healthcare experts at Genesis work collaboratively.

“It takes a lot of planning to make this possible,” said Mohamed Ahmed, M.D., fellowship-trained and board-certified interventional cardiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute. “General cardiology teams, heart failure teams, catheterization lab teams, operating room teams, nurses, surgeons and anesthesiologists – all come together for the patient.”

In addition to extensive planning, the heart surgeons must have specialized training to provide the new minimally invasive technique. “This is an advanced procedure and requires advanced training. It’s not a common procedure, nor is it done at every hospital. Genesis is the only hospital to offer this procedure within an hour’s drive of Zanesville,” Dr. Gabi said.

For Duane, having advanced heart care close to home makes all the difference.

“I’ve been a patient at other hospitals in the past, and that meant long drives for Linda every day after work. It’s much nicer to be here and get the high-quality care I need. I’ve been a patient at Genesis for the past 10 years, and they’ve been wonderful,” Duane said. “I’m thankful to Genesis for giving me life.”

 

Duane McFarland has experienced strokes, heart attacks, double pneumonia, sepsis and open-heart quadruple bypass surgery. No wonder he values quality healthcare.

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Genesis sheds light on patient’s blackout

82-year-old Charles Dean and his wife of 59 years, Katherine, live on a small farm in the northeast part of Licking County, Ohio, about 15 miles from Zanesville.

In the spring of 2017, Charles found himself taking naps frequently, but something didn’t feel quite right.

“I soon realized I wasn’t actually napping, but instead was having blackouts,” explained Charles.

A “blackout” is a temporary loss of consciousness, also called fainting, passing out, or in the medical world, syncope.

In some cases, low blood pressure causes these episodes. However, they can also be a symptom of an abnormal heart rhythm, which can result in a heart rate that is too fast or too slow to provide adequate blood flow to the brain. In these situations, blackouts may be a sign of a life-threatening problem.

Electrophysiology at Genesis

Once Charles realized he was blacking out, he contacted Genesis HealthCare for help and received an appointment to see Grant V. Chow, M.D., a fellowship-trained, board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute.

Cardiac electrophysiology is an area of medicine that studies the electrical rhythm of the heart. Physicians specializing in cardiac electrophysiology evaluate, monitor and treat patients with irregular heartbeats or abnormal rhythms.

“Often, when a patient first comes for an evaluation, we perform an electrocardiogram (ECG). This is a quick, simple and painless test that involves attaching small electrodes to the skin,” explained Dr. Chow. “These electrodes connect to a machine that monitors the heart. We have a wide range of other cardiac tests and technologies we can use when we need to gather more information about a patient’s condition.”

Gathering more data

Charles’ evaluation suggested that an abnormal rhythm might be causing his blackouts.

However, Dr. Chow needed more information to better understand what was happening and provide the best care.

So, when Charles went home, he was given a cardiac monitor to wear 24/7 for 30 days. This would allow Dr. Chow to monitor his heart rhythm and look for a correlation with symptoms.

This also reduced the need for Charles and Katherine to drive into Zanesville for multiple follow-up appointments.

Everything was fine—until it wasn’t

“I thought I was doing fine. Then on day 28, I had another blackout,” explained Charles. On his monitor, his episode correlated with an abnormal heart rhythm where his heart rate dropped to less than 40 beats per minute.

That afternoon, June 17, 2017, Charles was admitted to the hospital and shortly afterward, Dr. Chow surgically implanted a pacemaker. This device signals the heart to beat when the heartbeat is too slow.

The surgery was a success, and after just one night in the hospital, Charles went home. His pacemaker now ensures that his heart rate never drops below a normal 60 beats per minute. In addition, the pacemaker can monitor his heart rhythm for any other issues to provide an additional layer of security.

“After the procedure, I had a lot of energy. Everything came back. My appetite even returned,” said Charles. “After a few weeks, I was able to return to work part-time.”

A temporary setback

Charles experienced no blackouts or heart issues for almost two years. But then, in April 2019, episodes of severe fatigue occurred. He was admitted to the hospital and was found to have a decrease in heart-squeezing power – a form of heart failure.

“If a patient is suffering from a serious heart condition such as heart failure, they are at a much higher risk of having recurring blackouts or feeling poorly,” explained Dr. Chow. “Unfortunately, this was the case with Mr. Dean.”

When Charles received the new diagnosis of heart failure, an upgraded pacemaker was offered to improve his heart function. The upgrade involved implanting an additional “lead,” a thin wire that connects to the device’s generator on one end and the heart on the other. In a standard pacemaker, which is what Charles initially needed in 2017, there are two leads. In contrast, in a biventricular pacemaker, the type of device that could help with his new heart failure diagnosis, there are three.

Thankful and appreciative

Since his biventricular pacemaker upgrade, Charles has not had blackouts, and his energy levels have improved. His follow-up echo in 2020 showed improvement in his heart squeezing power. He goes in for check-ups several times each year and has a cardiac monitor at home he can use to check in with Dr. Chow if he has concerns.

“Everything was so efficient at Genesis,” said Charles. “In your older years especially, it’s important to have a medical system you trust. Dr. Chow saved my life and his team keeps good track of me. I’m so thankful and appreciative.”

Genesis Heart & Vascular Care

Learn more about Electrophysiology and other life saving treatments at Genesis

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In the spring of 2017, Charles found himself taking naps frequently, but something didn’t feel quite right. “I soon realized I wasn’t actually napping, but instead was having blackouts,” explained Charles.

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