Karen Moon feels lucky to be alive, because it wasn’t until David Buck, DO FACC, a cardiologist at Bradenton Cardiology Center, saw first-hand what was happening to Karen’s heart in real-time that her cardiac team was able to put a care plan into place.
In early 2023, Karen, the 78-year-old female who resides in Bradenton, felt immense pressure on her chest and couldn’t catch her breath. An ambulance was called, and she was transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton. Karen ended up needing a heart catheterization and several stents to keep her heart pumping properly. After the procedure, Karen was still experiencing bouts of a relatively low heart rate.
In July 2023, Karen found herself back in the ER with similar symptoms again. This time, however, things were different. “In [Karen’s] case, we were having a hard time figuring out what exactly her symptoms were coming from, until we happen to have caught her getting very bradycardic, meaning slow heart rate, in the ER, right while I was standing bedside,” remembers Dr. Buck. “Her diagnosis jumped off the page for us, because she happened to have symptoms in front of me while I had telemetry monitoring it.” Karen was rushed into surgery and a pacemaker was inserted to regulate her heartbeat.
The procedure was handled by Jared Collins, DO, a cardiologist specializing in Nuclear Cardiology and Electrophysiology with Bradenton Cardiology Center. Karen only had to stay in the hospital for just a few short days following her procedure.
“Even if you are frustrated, keep going back to your doctor with your complaints,” Dr. Buck stresses. After a pacemaker is implanted, he emphasizes how important it is to continue to self-report issues when you feel that something isn’t right so adjustments to the device can be made.
For someone who experienced three trips to the hospital’s ER and cardiac unit within a short period of time, Karen cannot say enough good about the people she encountered. She explains that everybody took excellent care of her, she had no problems, and was relieved that she did not have to wait a lengthy amount of time for anything. “I am perfectly satisfied with Manatee Memorial Hospital for cardiac care,” says Karen.
She also found comfort in Dr. Buck’s bedside manner. “He has the human touch, and this puts patients at ease,” Karen says.
Karen’s recovery has gone very well since her pacemaker was implanted. One of the biggest benefits she has seen post-procedure is having a consistent sleep schedule. Prio to her procedure, she was very anxious and agitated. “I would sleep for an hour and then be up for two hours. I think it was because my body felt bad, and I did not know what was wrong.” Now with her pacemaker, she can sleep soundly!
In less than two weeks after her procedure, Karen was driving again, too. “I feel 10 to 15 years younger than I am. I can do anything I want to do,” Karen says. She tries to go someplace every day, whether it’s running an errand or going to a church function. “I feel good, so I get out. I think when people get to my point in life physically, the worst thing I can think of is not being able to have my own freedom and my ability to do for myself.”
Karen feels lucky to be a patient of Bradenton Cardiology Center and Dr. Buck, having seen him multiple times since the procedure. “I love Dr. Buck and I am so grateful. I was in the right place at the right time,” she recalls.
Not too long ago, Karen struck up a conversation with a woman who was standing behind her in line at her local grocery store. The two got to talking and it turns out the woman’s husband had a pacemaker implanted by Dr. Collins as well. The two shared their experiences, and both agreed that they were in the best hands.
To make an appointment with Bradenton
Cardiology Center, please call 941-748-2277.
Bradenton Cardiology Center is affiliated with Manatee Memorial Hospital.
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