Albert’s Story: How Expert Care at AdventHealth Tampa Saved My Life After a Heart Emergency

In early February, my wife and I embarked on a 7-day Holland America cruise. On the fourth day, I began experiencing severe difficulty breathing. I visited the ship’s medical facility, where I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and the flu. The ship was nearing Puerto Rico, and due to the seriousness of my condition, I was transported by ambulance to a local hospital in San Juan.

My five-day stay in Puerto Rico was extremely difficult. The hospital was in poor condition, and the language barrier made communication nearly impossible. I was relieved to return home. This experience gave me a stark contrast in care quality, which became even more evident in the days to come.

Shortly after returning, an ambulance took me to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where I stayed for four days. Although I was discharged, my symptoms quickly reemerged, and I was then admitted to AdventHealth Tampa for further evaluation and care.

The root of my condition was a malfunctioning aortic valve replacement (TAVR procedure) I had received in April 2021. After a brief period of stability, my symptoms returned—primarily shortness of breath due to fluid buildup around my lungs. My cardiologist, Dr. Mohammadreza Tabesh, who practices at AdventHealth and is part of the Pepin Heart Institute, was already working on a plan to address the failing valve.

When my symptoms worsened again, I went to the AdventHealth emergency room, where I was admitted to the advanced cardiac unit. Dr. Tabesh and his team coordinated closely with the AdventHealth cardiac unit. I was amazed by the number of specialists involved—electrophysiologists, pacemaker experts, and more—all working together to determine whether to expedite my valve-in-valve replacement procedure.

Ultimately, they decided to proceed with the originally scheduled date, and I successfully underwent the procedure one month ago. The care I received was nothing short of remarkable. The attention, collaboration, and compassion shown by the entire cardiac team were deeply reassuring.

I want to especially thank Nurse Ashley, who not only provided excellent care but also took the time to explain my medications and their purposes. I’m also incredibly grateful to Dr. Tabesh, Dr. Wherley, Dr. Salman, and the entire TAVR team at AdventHealth and the Pepin Heart Institute. Their expertise and compassion have made all the difference in my journey.