He went for knee surgery and wound up getting a new heart
Nov 19, 2021
It turned out that Mike Wigal of Wooster, Ohio, didn't have a problem with his knee. His heart was failing.
Stories From the Heart
This series from American Heart Association News chronicles the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers and advocates.
A heart researcher's heart stopped at a restaurant. His daughter's coaches saved him.
Nov 11, 2021
Cardiac arrest kept Dr. Kevin Volpp's heart from beating for 14 minutes. He's fine now thanks to high-quality CPR, an AED and more. He's sharing his story to inspire people to learn lifesaving skills.
After stroke, retired Marine walks thousands of miles
Nov 9, 2021
Eddie deRoulet, a fixture around his neighborhood and at the local mall, has logged more than 18,000 miles and counting since his stroke in 2016.
Two heart operations in her first 8 months of life
Nov 4, 2021
Four-year-old Molly Tittsworth of Wichita, Kansas, has already had two heart surgeries and faces more in the future. But today she is thriving, and big brother, McCoy, is her biggest fan.
At 31, a stroke immobilized his right side. Now he's a competitive bodybuilder.
Oct 29, 2021
Airman Brady Johnson of Belvidere, Illinois, turned his military pledge to defend his country into an attack against his own enemy – the aftermath of a stroke.
After weeks of flu-like symptoms, open-heart surgery at 26
Oct 26, 2021
Melanie Falcon of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was 26 when she felt ill. Weeks later, doctors discovered an infection in her heart stemming from an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. Her son and dad have it, too.
Runner in 'optimal health' diagnosed with heart failure at 41
Oct 21, 2021
A doctor told Darlene Anita Scott that her heart problems might be because Black people often have high blood pressure. That wasn't the reason. Another cardiologist traced her problem to an autoimmune disease.
A heart patient as a child, he's now a resident caring for heart patients
Oct 19, 2021
Matt Lum had open-heart surgery at 8 1/2 months old. Regular cardiologist appointments growing up inspired him to pursue medicine.
Cyclist Mandy Marquardt doesn't let diabetes slow her down
Oct 15, 2021
More than a decade after a doctor told her Type 1 diabetes would quash her dreams, Mandy Marquardt is both a champion sprint cyclist and an inspiration.
New York City attorney was the picture of good health, until his doctor detected a heart murmur
Oct 14, 2021
After being diagnosed with a leaky heart valve during a routine physical, New York City attorney Lowell Chase began taking medication to control the condition. Several years later, it was time for a valve replacement.