From AFib to freedom

Vicky Shimel is a vibrant, active, 75-year-old great grandmother who hasn’t slowed down because of heart issues.

“I noticed my first heart symptoms about three years ago, when my husband and I exerted ourselves for a week cleaning our cabin,” Vicky said. “When family members joined us and I was seated at breakfast, out of the blue I felt I was going to faint.”

Vicky ignored that first symptom. During the next few months, she had two more “episodes.” Twice she went to the rest room during the night and woke up on the floor, but she didn’t tell anyone about it.

“Then I had a doctor’s appointment, and I told my primary care physician (PCP) that I felt like someone was pulling inside my chest, which worried me.”

Vicky’s PCP ordered an echocardiogram that revealed a heart valve problem. That’s when she first met Interventional Cardiologist Noah Thormeier, DO, Trinity Health Medical Group, Cardiology - Muskegon. Dr Thormeier is also a member of the Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan, a joint operating agreement between Trinity Health Muskegon, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, the University of Michigan Health-West and the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center.

TAVR 

“He and his staff are amazing. I love his PA. Dr. Thormeier is so good to me. He did a TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) procedure, and I was scheduled to stay on medication for a year,” Vicky said.

Video: Dr. Thormeier tells you 6 things to know about our structural heart program.

When Vicky met with Dr. Thormeier at her one-year checkup, she expected to go off blood thinners. She was grateful that her heart valve had been fixed but was surprised to learn that tests had revealed another heart condition: AFib.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular and often rapid heartbeat that can lead to heart failure, blot clots, and stroke. According to the American Stroke Association, patients with AFib are at increased risk of stroke, and women are more at risk than men. 

Always an optimist, Vicky asked what could be done.

Watchman Flex Pro

Dr. Thormeier told Vicky and her husband about a minimally invasive procedure using the newer WATCHMAN FLX Pro device. It is designed for patients with AFib not due to a heart valve problem. The Watchman FLX Pro reduces the risk of strokes in patients by sealing off the left atrial appendage where blood clots often form. 

“The advantages of the FLX Pro has allowed us to close almost every left atrial appendage we have come across. It is safer, easier to position, and easier to deliver,” said Dr. Thormeier. “Vicky’s procedure was uneventful. Her prognosis is great because she no longer needs blood thinners. Her risk of bleeding is significantly reduced.”

“With the Watchman [procedure], I went in and had it done, and then my husband and I went to lunch,” Vicky said. “The procedure is outpatient. I haven’t had any trouble at all — no pain. I would recommend Dr. Thormeier to the world.”

Learn more about Dr. Thormeier’s expertise with treating AFib with the Watchman device: Michigan’s Leader in Implants to Reduce AFib-Related Stroke Risk 

Advice to readers 

Dr. Thormeier says a high percentage of people he treats with AFib have no symptoms. 

“But when patients have symptoms, they typically experience fatigue and heart palpitations. People with these symptoms should definitely see their primary care physician for an initial evaluation and testing. Then they can be referred to a cardiologist for further diagnosis,” he said.

It’s been two years since Vicky had the Watchman surgery. She is grateful for a procedure that has left her free from worry about her heart. 

Here is some advice from Vicky for others concerning their heart health:

• I’m a salt-a-holic, so I need to be careful about salt. I recommend that other people with a history of heart disease be careful too.
• I told myself that my fainting was nothing, but I knew that I didn’t normally faint. And I almost didn’t say anything to my PCP about the tugging in my chest. I didn’t want to complain, and I didn’t want her to think I was a hypochondriac. People really need to pay attention to their symptoms – and talk to their doctor if something is not quite right or normal for them. 

Vicky loves babysitting, and she is awaiting the birth of her eighth great grandchild. She’s ready to go and looks forward to many more active years with her growing family.

“I feel great,” she said. “I love the care I receive at Trinity Health Muskegon.”

Take control of your heart health today. Request an appointment with an AFib specialist and learn about advanced treatments like the WATCHMAN FLX Pro at TrinityHealthMI.org/AFib.