A Lucky Treadmill Test Gives a New Lease on Life

Diagnosis: Advanced Heart Disease

Treatment: Angioplasty procedure

You hear how winning the lottery can change a life. That's nothing compared to the good fortune that came Richard Geary's way. He decided to attend a Tri-City Medical Center cardiovascular forum and won a free drawing for a treadmill test. The test uncovered advanced heart disease. "The odds are, that left untreated, Richard would have suffered a possibly fatal heart attack," said Paul Sarkaria, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Tri-City Medical Center. That's because many people can have seriously weakened hearts but do not experience any special pain that might warn them.

Richard chose to have an angioplasty procedure. Today he feels great and enjoys hiking, golf and fishing.

Dialing 911 Made All the Difference

Diagnosis: Cardiac arrest

Treatment: Immediate paramedic care with sophisticated equipment

Gayle Griffith felt some chest pain, was perspiring, and knew her family had a history of heart disease. Still, she hesitated briefly before dialing 9, then 1. Then she almost hung up before dialing the last 1, the one that saved her life.

She went into cardiac arrest twice while the paramedics were still at her home. Fortunately, they had the sophisticated equipment on board as recommended by Tri-City Medical Center, so they could help her make it to the hospital. Now she's back on course, serving as an example to all of us that when your heart is involved, there's no time to wait.

A Touch of Heartburn?

Diagnosis: Cardiac arrest

Treatment: TPA new clot-buster medication

Mike Fisher came into Tri-City Medical Center one evening, feeling some discomfort in his stomach, and thinking he must have severe heartburn. He got the first half right - it was his heart. At 2:30 am, while Dr. Stephen Karas was at his bedside, Mike Fisher had a heart attack. He was a candidate for TPA*, a new clot-buster medication that can minimize damage. Now, after angioplasty and enrolling in Tri-City Medical Center's cardiac rehabilitation program, Mike says he's more active than he was 15 years ago. He's also committed to helping Tri-City Medical Center, by volunteering to set up an emergency ham radio operation at the hospital for backup communications. (*See your doctor or specialist regarding TPA and its use in cardiac care.)