Saving Lives and Mending Hearts

February is heart month with sweethearts gifting each other candy and flowers and healthcare professionals reminding us about taking care of our hearts. February is also a time of reflection for people who are grateful for a second chance thanks to cardiac professionals, like the team from the Cath Lab (above).

Life Happens

Jodi Dyer knew she had a rapid heartbeat, also known as SVT or supraventricular tachycardia. Her first episode brought her to the ED in 2017. Medication slowed the beat, but doctors explained she needed a cardiac ablation to permanently fix the problem.

As Jodi described it, “life happened,” and she put other things ahead of her health. Her reality check came last year when she experienced another SVT. “I knew I was worse because I couldn’t walk short distances, from the car into a store, for example, without stopping twice,” said Jodi, age 58.

Earlier this year, Jodi followed her doctor’s orders and checked in at the Cath Lab for a cardiac ablation to keep her heart in rhythm. “The Cath Lab staff was so great from registration to the procedure. They were all very good,” Jodi said.

Walking the Bridge

Just a week after her procedure, Jodi traveled to British Columbia and walked without effort across the 460-foot-long Capilano Suspension Bridge. “Heart disease kills more women than breast cancer. I wanted to be around to take more trips and visit my six grandchildren,” Jodi said.

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Kim Shopper

Kim has worked at NKCH for nearly 40 years where she produces the employee newsletter and manages internal campaigns. She is a board member for the Kansas City Health Communicators, and she is passionate about animal rescue and volunteers for the Parkville Animal Shelter.