“I never imagined I’d be the one having a heart attack,” says Ronald Young of Monroe City, a farmer who loves working on his land and spending time with his family.
One evening, Ronald woke with sudden, severe pain shooting through his right arm. The pain was so intense that he went straight to the emergency department at Hannibal Regional, where doctors quickly discovered he was having a heart attack.
Doctors first tried placing a stent, but it wasn’t enough to fix Ronald’s condition. He was then told that open heart surgery would be necessary to save his life. “They told me that if I didn’t have the surgery, I could face an even bigger heart attack, and I might not survive the next one.” Ronald recalls.
Ronald decided to move forward with open heart surgery at Hannibal Regional with Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr. Jose Torres. The surgery was quickly scheduled and went exceptionally well. “The surgery went great and the care I received after was excellent. I had many doctors checking in on me constantly, and Dr. Torres explained everything so well. He continued to check in on me and care for me after the surgery.” Ronald shares.
As Ronald recovered, he worked with Hannibal Regional’s cardiac rehab team to gain his strength back. He has since graduated from cardiac rehab and now continues regular cardiology appointments with Hannibal Regional Cardiologist, Dr. Santhosh Mannem to ensure everything is working properly. “I cannot complain, I had a great experience with everyone at Hannibal Regional. Cardiac rehab is what really got me back on my feet. I was very weak after the surgery, and they helped me get back to my life. I’m able to work out on the farm again and I know when I need to take a break, but it’s because of the team at Hannibal Regional that I’m alive and doing well. My advice is to trust the Hannibal Regional doctors and nurses, they will take great care of you!”
Thanks to the expert team at Hannibal Regional, Ronald is back to doing what he loves. The comprehensive Heart Center at Hannibal Regional offers a full range of diagnostic, interventional, surgical, and rehabilitative services, all designed to help you live a heart-healthy life, right here at home. To learn more about the Hannibal Regional Heart Center or to make an appointment with a heart specialist, call (573) 629-3960.