Team-based cardiac care saves life of local United Way CEO

John Gaston, 72, currently enjoys “a rewarding career” as the president and CEO of the United Way of Smith County in East Texas.

But one Spring morning eight years ago, he woke with a pronounced shortness of breath and a lack of energy.

John called and saw his primary care physician that afternoon, who discovered that John’s heart rate was 180 beats a minute. He asked John, “Can you drive yourself to UT Health East Texas or do you want an ambulance?”

“I can’t go to the hospital,” John said. “I’ve got a meeting in Dallas.” His doctor replied, “John, you can’t go to Dallas. You have atrial fibrillation, and you are going to the hospital now!”

After being admitted, John’s heart rate began to drop. After midnight he flatlined and was revived due to quick actions by his nurse. After a stint in the cardiac ICU and surgery to implant an ICD by an electrophysiologist, John was discharged. He spent the next year fine-tuning his heart medications with his cardiologist.

A couple of years later, John woke with difficulty breathing and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The battery in his ICD had failed, so he got a new device and battery from the device representative. A couple of months later, that device failed and John underwent cardiac surgery to install a pacemaker.

“I am blessed beyond measure for the care I received from all of the doctors, nurses, techs, friends and family who have been with me through this journey. Together they saved my life!”

“When you experience heart failure, it’s a wake-up call that no one wants,” said John. “You ask yourself ‘Is this the end?’ I responded to this question by realizing that it’s primarily up to me to live a healthy life, but I sure am grateful for my medical team. Thank you!”