citizensmemorial.com 9 What is atrial fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a condition that causes an irregular heartbeat. AFib is sometimes called a “silent” condition. Its symptoms can be mild and easy to mistake for stress, aging or being out of shape. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists these common AFib symptoms and risk factors: Symptoms ● Irregular heartbeat. ● Heart palpitations. ● Feeling light-headed. ● Chest pain. ● Extreme tiredness. ● Shortness of breath. Risk factors ● Older age. ● High blood pressure. ● Obesity. ● Diabetes. ● Heart failure. ● Thyroid problems. ● Chronic kidney disease. ● Heavy alcohol use. ● Smoking. AFib is often diagnosed with an electrocardiogram or a heart rhythm monitor. AFib can be managed with medication, healthy lifestyle changes and surgery. AFib can also increase the risk of stroke. AFib doesn’t always cause pain, but it can quietly damage your heart. If you have ongoing fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness or heart fluttering, schedule a checkup and talk to your health care provider. Fighting for life Parsons was admitted on Dec. 16, 2024, at age 73, turning 74 while hospitalized. Initially, he was told he was too old for a heart transplant and was encouraged to consider a mechanical heart device instead. Parsons pushed back. “I told them, ‘Look at this body. This body is perfect. Everything works in this body. I just blew an engine,’” Parsons says. Two surgeons who saw Parsons that day agreed, and they fought for him before the 12-member transplant approval board. While waiting, Parsons was kept alive on a portable external heart machine and instructed to walk as much as possible. He walked daily, determined to show he could handle a transplant. After two donor matches fell through, Parsons finally received the call on Feb. 1, 2025. Parsons’ heart transplant was completed in the early hours of Feb. 2, 2025, using a 55-year-old donor heart. Recovery was difficult. Parsons faced setbacks, exhaustion and moments when he wanted to give up. Nurses and physicians encouraged him through every low point. By midFebruary, Parsons turned a corner. He was recovering faster than expected and was discharged less than a month after his heart transplant. Saved by an organ donor Now 75, Parsons says he feels better than he has in years. Parsons is alive today because someone checked “yes” to organ donation. “Because he said he would be a donor, he gave me his heart when he lost his life,” Parsons says. “Now I am strong. I think about that a lot.” Before his transplant, Parsons was not registered as a donor, but now, he too has checked “yes.” Parsons also gives credit to Dr. Best, whose honesty and decisiveness set everything in motion, and to the transplant team at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, who fought for him despite his age. “If Dr. Best hadn’t told me the truth that day, I wouldn’t be here,” he says. John F. Best, M.D., FACP, FACC, FSCAI Dishang Bhavsar, M.D., FACC, FSCAI David J. Lemons, D.O., FSCAI Haris Riaz, M.D., FACC, FSCAI Brandon Barnes, FNP-C Jared Martin, FNP-BC
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