When Mari Beth was 55 years old, she knew that – if she lived long enough – she would likely have heart disease. Nearly everyone in her family has been diagnosed with it, and in fact, both her father and her brother died from cardiac arrest before they reached her present age.
So, three years ago, when she was experiencing shortness of breath and feelings of her heart racing, she was not surprised when her primary care physician referred her to UT Medical Center.
That referral led Mari Beth to Anne Kassira, MD at University Cardiology, and she feels fortunate to have found her. While initial tests did not indicate blockages, Dr. Kassira thought it would be best to send Mari Beth for a cardiac catheterization. That same day, she left with three stents in her right coronary artery. “Given my family history and knowing the extent of my three blockages – 80-90% – I am convinced Dr. Kassira’s abundant precaution saved my life,” she said.
Since then, Mari Beth has visited University Cardiology multiple times and underwent a second cardiac catheterization about a year after the first one. With no major blockages, gratefully, no additional stents were needed. “Each visit, I have experienced efficiency and professionalism from all the staff,” she said. “The entire team has been patient and knowledgeable.”
As an Associate Professor of Teacher Education in Special Education at UT, Mari Beth especially appreciates that the medical center values research, science and making changes to practices based on evidence and new research. “I teach my students – preservice teachers – that they should implement evidence-based practices,” she said. “I like that Dr. Kassira explains the medical research behind her recommendations, like a recent change in my medication based on emerging evidence of superior outcomes.”
Throughout the last three years, Mari Beth has learned that she needs to be a better advocate for herself. “I get intimidated, especially when it comes to health care and medical stuff, as I guess most people do,” she said. “But it’s also important to find medical professionals who help you do that.”
As her cardiac care continues, Mari Beth is grateful for the treatments that have been recommended to her with the utmost caution given her family history. “I do not know what the results of my next cardiac tests will show,” she said. “But I feel my life is in good hands with University Cardiology.”