Frankfort Regional Medical Center

Listening to His Heart By listening to his body, retired businessman Dave Weller took a powerful step toward caring for his cardiac health. There was not a dramatic pain in the chest followed by a collapse, no ride in an ambulance or trip to the emergency room. Instead, Dave Weller's cardiac complication presented as a slow burn— heartburn, to be specific. At 65 years old, Dave was healthy and active. He maintained an evening routine of walking his dogs and assumed that the pressure in his chest was simply a bad case of indigestion. But even after taking over-the-counter antacids, his discomfort continued. Knowing that something wasn't quite right, Dave scheduled an appointment with his primary care provider, Evan Dicken, MD, an internal medicine physician with East Side Family Medicine. Dr. Dicken shared Dave's concern when the pain persisted and decided to conduct an electrocardiogram to check the electrical activity of Dave's heart. Test results revealed that Dave had coronary artery disease, which caused angina—a condition marked by pressure in the chest from an inadequate blood supply to the heart. Angina pain can even feel like indigestion, as Dave had experienced. "Because of the results of the test and my family history of cardiac conditions, Dr. Dicken referred me to specialists at Bluegrass Cardiology Consultants," Dave says. A LIFE-ALTERING DIAGNOSIS Five years prior to the pain in his chest, Dave had a consultation with Scott Monnin, MD, so the two were already acquainted when Dave went to Dr. Monnin's office for an exercise stress test, which revealed abnormal results. "Exertional chest pain relieved with rest is very worrisome," Dr. Monnin says. "So we did not waste time and proceeded with cardiac catheterization tests." The follow-up tests revealed that Dave had a significant blockage in the left anterior descending artery, a condition that needed to be treated quickly. To address the issue, Marty Denny, MD, performed angioplasty, stenting Dave's artery. Dave was able to return home the next day. "Dave responded very well to the procedure," Dr. Denny says. "The minimally invasive option that he needed was available right here at Frankfort Regional Medical Center." THE ROAD TO RECOVERY Following his surgery, Dave has remained dedicated to a cardiac rehabilitation program, provided at Frankfort Regional, and keeping close watch on his diet and exercise habits. "One of the great things about cardiac rehab is you are actively taking steps to improve your overall condition," Dave says. "By listening to your body, working with your doctors and following through with your rehabilitation, you can take control. I am grateful for the wonderful work of my physicians and am thankful for every new day." Â To schedule an appointment with a cardiologist, call Consult-A-Nurse® at 877-376-2631 or 502-226-1655, or visit FrankfortRegional.com and choose "Find a Doctor." Heart Attack Warning Signs Chest pain is not the only symptom of a heart attack. Other warning signs include: • Breaking into a cold sweat • Nausea • Pain in the back, jaw, neck or stomach • Shortness of breath Scott Monnin, MD Marty Denny, MD 6 FrankfortRegional.com

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