A Heartfelt Diagnosis: Tony's Journey to the Right Care

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Tony knew something was seriously wrong. After receiving a pacemaker for a heart block in 2022, his health unexpectedly continued to decline. He suffered from severe fatigue, shortness of breath, and painful fluid retention that made moving difficult and led to dangerous falls. Despite numerous doctor visits, his condition only worsened, leaving him and his family searching desperately for a solution.

That solution came from his daughter, Liz, Transfer Center manager and Emergency Department Nurse at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Recognizing the signs of a more serious problem, she used her experience to connect her father with the Advanced Heart Failure Center. There, cardiovascular specialist Jesus Leandro G. Almendral, M.D., and his team took immediate action.

They first adjusted Tony’s medication, providing quick relief from the debilitating fluid retention. But they didn’t stop at just managing the symptoms. Suspecting a rare condition, Dr. Almendral ordered advanced imaging and genetic testing. The results confirmed a diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis—a difficult-to-detect illness caused by abnormal protein buildup in the heart. By finding the root cause of Tony's heart failure, the team was finally able to provide the specific care he needed to get back to enjoying his retirement.

Are you or a loved one experiencing unexplained heart symptoms? Don’t wait for a crisis. Contact our Advanced Heart Failure specialists to get the definitive care you need.

Read Tony’s story and discover how our experts solve the most complex heart conditions.

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