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Mar 6, 2023 Reporting from Niles, MI
Taking medical advice to heart - Denise Seats
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/cardiology-services/our-heart-patients-say-it-best/Detail/taking-medical-advice-to-heart/?utm_source=Taking_medical_advice_to_heart&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Mar 6, 2023
Mar 6, 2023
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
After years of managing heart conditions, Benton Harbor resident Denise Seats found the medical advice she needed to make permanent changes.At 36 years old, Denise learned that there was an 80% blockage in one of her coronary arteries. This is called
Taking medical advice to heart - Denise Seats
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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Taking medical advice to heart - Denise Seats
Mar, 2023
Physicians: Jerome Kuhnlein, MD, Willie Lawrence, MD
After years of managing heart conditions, Benton Harbor resident Denise Seats found the medical advice she needed to make permanent changes.
At 36 years old, Denise learned that there was an 80% blockage in one of her coronary arteries. This is called coronary artery disease (CAD) or atherosclerosis. Cardiologist, Jerome Kuhnlein, MD, used a catheter with a balloon at its tip to expand the artery at the site of the narrowing in a procedure termed balloon angioplasty, thereby improving blood flow to her heart.
Eight months after the procedure, Denise experienced additional heart challenges and needed to remove excess buildup of plaque in one of her arteries. Dr. Kuhnlein performed a second procedure called coronary atherectomy, which used a catheter to carry a small drill to shave off bits of a large plaque from Denise’s arteries.
“I credit Dr. Kuhnlein’s expertise for saving my life and for using minimally invasive techniques to remove the plaque blocking my blood vessels,” Denise said.
In her 40s, Denise had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a ministroke which could be a warning sign of an impending stroke. TIA’s and stroke are caused by temporary or permanent poor flow, respectively, to the brain. Five years later, she had an ischemic vertebrobasilar artery brainstem stroke. Poorly controlled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for having a stroke. In Denise’s case, she suffered memory loss and permanent loss of peripheral vision in her left eye.
Looking back, Denise realizes that stress, smoking, poor eating habits, and lack of physical activity contributed to her health problems. Indeed, black women are 60 percent more likely to have high blood pressure than their white counterparts. Numerous factors, such as lack of access to health care, poor eating habits and chronic stress put Black women at a higher risk of developing heart disease.
“After all I had been through, I knew that it was time for a drastic change in order to get my blood pressure under control and I needed to stop taking my health for granted,” Denise said. “This was my final wake up call." As she approached her 50s, Denise stopped smoking, started working out with friends at the local YMCA, and adopted healthy eating habits.
As luck would have it, she picked up a Center for Better Health and Wellness newsletter from her local church and read that interventional cardiologist and 30-year volunteer for the American Heart Association (AHA), Willie Lawrence, MD, was now practicing in the area.
“I was impressed with Dr. Lawrence’s medical background and his desire to come to Berrien County to help improve the overall health of our community,” Denise said. “I was also excited to meet with a cardiologist who looked like me.”
In April 2022, Denise met Dr. Lawrence for the first time at the Center for Better Health and Wellness and was pleased that the medical facility was only a five-minute drive from her home. In addition to offering cardiology appointments, the center also provides mental health assistance, performs health screenings, and connects community members to various food, housing and education supports.
“When I arrived at the center, I knew some of the staff members personally,” Denise said. “It felt great to reconnect with people from my community.”
During the appointment, Denise said she felt that Dr. Lawrence had an accurate overview of her medical history and listened to her concerns. The cardiologist also provided tips for measuring her blood pressure more accurately and advised her on how to better manage her overall heart health. Going forward, Denise will meet with Dr. Lawrence at least twice a year.
“Today, my blood pressure is very well maintained at 120/78 and I have the cardiologists at Corewell Health South to thank for that,” she said. “I’m grateful to have time with my children and now see my grandchildren grow up.”
Denise is proud of all the changes she has made to improve her heart health. She takes daily walks with her husband and exercise classes after work. “When you're young, you think you have more time to change unhealthy habits, but that is not always the case,” Denise said. “Preventative health matters -- so even in your 30s, I encourage residents to get their blood pressure checked at the Center for Better Health and Wellness.”
Watch more of Denise's story:
*American Heart Association
Source:
Researchers explore how COVID-19 affects heart health in Black women. American Heart Association (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2022, from https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/08/25/researchers-explore-how-covid-19-affects-heart-health-in-black-women