How Important Is Cardiovascular Research Funding? Ask Chris Morgan
FAIRVIEW SYSTEM, MARCH 20, 2013
| Research made possible by funding from the American Heart Association Heart Walk matters to heart patients like Chris Morgan, who suffered a life-threatening aortic dissection last year. |
The 43-year-old Farmington father of three suffered an aortic dissection last spring—a life-threatening condition that placed a 28-inch tear in his aorta.
The expert care Chris received at Fairview Ridges Hospital and University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview saved his life and put him on the road to recovery.
On May 4, when Fairview walkers arrive at Target Field for the American Heart Association Heart Walk, they can be proud that hundreds of patients like Chris benefit from their fundraising efforts.
A 'busload of tingles'Chris, who coaches the Eagan High School swim team, recalls feeling a “busload of tingles” throughout his body last year at his team's banquet. He felt ill, but kept going for another three hours.
After the event, when Chris handed the car keys to his wife, Amy, she knew there was something seriously wrong. She drove him to Fairview Ridges Hospital's Emergency Department, where Molly Mattson, RN, whose child is on the Eagan swim team, was starting her shift.
Under the direction of John Houghland, MD, Chris underwent a battery of tests to determine what was wrong. Realizing time was of the essence, John had Chris flown to University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.
Once there, Chris was in surgery within an hour to repair the aortic dissection, led by yet another Eagan swim parent, Herbert Ward, MD.
The surgery was successful, and Chris was able to return to work seven weeks later. Chris credits his Fairview care team for having a positive effect on his attitude and overall prognosis.
“The Fairview doctors working with me at Ridges and at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview are very educated about my condition,” Chris says. “I feel very well provided and cared for, and that means a lot to me.”
Walking to make a differenceChris’ story reminds us that research funding raised at the American Heart Association's May 4 Heart Walk and March of Dimes' April 28 March for Babies make a difference in people's lives.
To donate and make a difference in someone's life please copy and paste the following link:
http://twincitiesheartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1033008&lis=0&kntae1033008=162AED6FED864CA5901BE6E056213DFA
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