Going the distance for first-class heart care

Jim O’Neill was feeling off. He couldn’t walk more than four or five minutes without needing to sit. His primary care doctor told him it was likely from long COVID and there weren’t many treatment options. But that diagnosis didn’t seem right to Jim. He was breathing okay, but his energy levels were disturbingly low. After about six months of these symptoms—including an episode where he fainted and knocked out a few teeth—it was time to get another opinion. He booked an appointment with someone he knew he could trust: Dr. Cynthia Warner, his cardiologist at Providence.

Jim has a history of heart issues. He was born with a defect in his aorta. For years, doctors had said it was only a murmur and nothing to worry about. But when he got a consult from Dr. Warner 12 years ago, she took a closer look. She discovered the defect was more severe and sent Jim into surgery to fix the problem.

“She took care of it,” said Jim. “When I realized I was feeling similar to how I did back then, I made an appointment with Dr. Warner. I knew I could trust her diagnosis 100 percent.”

Jim retired a few years ago and moved to the Tri-Cities, so his appointment required travel across the mountains and a hotel stay to meet with Dr. Warner at the Providence Medical Group Mill Creek Clinic. He said the three-hour drive was well worth the peace of mind knowing he was getting his care from Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.

“I wouldn’t go anywhere else if you have a heart need—Providence is a great place,” Jim said.

Dr. Warner evaluated Jim and ordered some additional tests at Providence Everett to be sure he was okay before he drove back home. Jim went to the Colby campus later that day, and his test results were immediately sent to Dr. Warner. Just as Jim was leaving the building, Dr. Warner called him on his cell phone, and the technician who performed his tests came rushing around the corner with a wheelchair. Dr. Warner instructed Jim to get in the wheelchair—tests showed his aortic valve was almost completely closed off.

Dr. Warner consulted with Dr. Ravilla Mahidhar on the interventional cardiology team at Providence Everett to determine the best way to repair Jim’s heart, considering his prior surgery. After additional diagnostics from the cardiac catheterization lab, funded by donations to The Campaign for A Greater Providence, Dr. Mahidhar decided on a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, known as TAVR. Back to the cardiac cath lab Jim went for the minimally invasive procedure that’s often used for patients who’ve previously had open-heart surgery. It allowed Jim to recover in about a week, instead of months.

“Having easy access to leading-edge technology and cardiovascular services offered in one location is really beneficial for our patients, especially in a medical center as busy as ours” said Dr. Warner.

Jim agrees. He’s glad he made the trip when his heart told him he might need extra help. And relieved he did it in time. Jim is incredibly grateful for the care he received from Dr. Warner and Providence Everett.

“Everyone was really first class. It’s a good hospital, for sure, almost like staying in a hotel—except they gave me the healthy food instead of the real good stuff,” Jim said with a chuckle.

“I just want to give kudos to everyone at Providence, and especially Dr. Warner. She saved my bacon twice now.”