A cautious story about Heart Health Month from JRMC

     “I am so glad I listened to my heart.”

First Symptoms

     “I never hurt that bad and I never felt that miserable, but I knew enough from my nursing background and working with cardiologists that I probably needed to pursue heart care.”

     In October 2021, Deb Byers, physician liaison at UnityPoint – Jones Regional Medical Center (JRMC), noticed something unusual as she was going for a walk one morning.

     “I was having more fatigue and a kind of a fullness feeling my chest,” she recalled. “But when I sat down, that sensation would go away.”

     Having spent many years in nursing and working within cardiology, 43 years in total with UnityPoint Health to be exact, Byers was reminded of what she would often tell patients: “If you have a chest discomfort that comes on with exertion and goes away with rest, most likely it is coming from your heart and should be checked out.”

Byers’ Heart Care Team

     After reaching out to her primary care physician, Dr. Charles Vernon, MD, Byers was quickly referred to Erisn Atay, MD, St. Luke’s Heart Care Clinic cardiologist.

     “I have a lot of genetics or family history of heart disease,” shared Byers, “which is a huge factor, so Dr. Atay ordered a stress test.”

     Despite her symptoms and the presence of her family history, Byers’ stress test came back normal.

     “My first thought when I evaluated Deb Byers was that she had several risk factors for having heart disease and her symptoms were suspicious for blockages in the coronary arteries,” shared Dr. Atay. “The Stress test reproduced her symptoms… People with blockages in their coronary arteries can have various symptoms. Usually, we expect them to have chest pain, but many times they have shortness of breath or just feel fatigued. Any symptom that is out of the ordinary should be taken seriously.”

     Dr. Atay recommended Byers have a cardiac catherization (sometimes referred to as a heart cath). This procedure involves the insertion of a narrow tube into the heart through an artery to examine how well the heart is functioning. For this, Dr. Atay enlisted the help of St. Luke’s Heart Care Clinic interventional cardiologist Richard Kettelkamp, DO.

     “Dr. Kettelkamp regularly practices at Jones Regional,” Byers said. “It is such a blessing to have access to both him and Dr. Atay close to home.

     “On Oct. 18 my first heart cath was completed at St. Luke’s Hospital, which was also a great experience,” continued Byers. “Afterwards Dr. Kettelkamp told my husband and me, that I had an 80 percent blockage in the left anterior descending artery. This is commonly known as the ‘widow-maker’ (due to the critical nature of a blockage in that location). Dr. Kettelkamp stented that artery, and at the same time I had other arteries that were about 50 percent blocked as well.”

     Byers ultimately required two stents, which are metal mesh tubes that help keep arteries open.

     “Deb had symptoms that were concerning for heart artery blockage with increasing shortness of breath with exertion and chest fullness/heaviness,” said Dr. Kettelkamp. “She underwent stress testing. This turned out to be low risk. Because she continued to have symptoms, it was decided to proceed with coronary angiography. This then revealed multi-vessel blockages. The stress test was misleading as can sometimes happen.”

Road to Recovery

     Following her procedures, Byers was recommended for cardiac rehabilitation at JRMC.

     “The thing is with cardiac rehab, it keeps you accountable,” she commented. “You set your goals for what you want to accomplish, and you establish a plan. Kim Boyd and her staff are just amazing helping with that.”

     While Byers is no longer in need of cardiac rehab, she remains active in her job at Jones Regional and is conscious of how diet and exercise, along with her own genetics impact her heart.

     “I guess the lesson learned here, for me,” said Byers, “is listen to your heart. Don’t deny your symptoms, especially if you have a family history of heart problems.”

     Of early detection and trusting your body, Dr. Kettelkamp offered, “A heart artery blockage can (and often does) progress. Significant blockage can damage the heart muscle and, in turn, lead to a weakened heart pump and eventually heart failure.

     “Deb did the right thing and discussed her symptoms with her doctor who then sent her to the cardiologist. Don’t ignore symptoms and hope things will get better. Be pro-active like Deb and tell your doctor if you don’t feel right. It’s also important to treat the risk factors for heart disease such as controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Everyone should eat healthy (low fat, low cholesterol foods) and exercise daily.”