SIDNEY — Since early spring, Kathy Verhotz, of Piqua, who works in the patient access department of the Wilson Helath Medical Group, had been experiencing occasional “heartburn” symptoms.
A lover of spicy food, she attributed the symptoms to poor eating habits. Eventually, Verhotz made an appointment to see certified nurse practitioner Alisa Elliott, of Wilson Health Medical Group.
“I thought she would recommend that I try an antacid or perhaps recommend some dietary changes. After we talked about my family history, she recommended that we do an EKG in the office, which came back normal,” Verhotz said.
Elliott was determined to get some answers and next recommended a treadmill stress test, which Verhotz says she put off scheduling for three weeks.
“The day of the test, I woke up feeling very anxious and even expressed this feeling to the healthcare professional who escorted me to the cath lab where the test was performed. Two minutes into the stress test, I went into ventricular tachycardia,” Verhotz said.
Ventricular tachycardia is a fast, but regular rhythm, heartbeat. If left untreated, it can lead to ventricular fibrillation, which is fast and irregular heartbeat. During ventricular fibrillation, the heartbeats are so fast and irregular that the heart stops pumping blood. Ventricular fibrillation is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death.
Through the quick thinking and actions of Dr. Masroor Abro, a cardiologist, and the rest of the Wilson Health Cath Lab staff, Verholtz was transported by ambulance to Lima Memorial, where she underwent a cath and stent procedure.
“I had ninety-nine percent blockage of my widow maker. Talk about a perfect storm. I feel that it is beyond coincidence that this event happened when it did, where it did and how it did,” said Verhotz. “I cannot even begin to thank each and every person for their part in my excellent care. There is a very good chance that I would not have survived if it wasn’t for the thorough evaluation of my symptoms. Throughout this entire event, including cardiac rehab, the Wilson Health staff has been exemplary in their care and concern for me.”
Recently, Verhotz had a repeat echocardiogram test and the results indicate she is progressing very well.
“Each and every person through this process has reassured me that I will be fine,” she said. “Everyone at Wilson Health truly cared for me without limits and I can’t thank them enough.”
