From Battling Cancer to Beating a Heart Attack: Alexis’ Remarkable Journey
Alexis’ Early Battle
Alexis is no stranger to overcoming health obstacles. At age 32, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Alexis overcame the disease, got married to her husband Bill, and moved to Cherry Hill, NJ. Prior to relocating, she received important parting advice from her oncologist. “He said, ‘you need to see a cardiologist who will take your health seriously. And the only place I recommend is Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care.’” Alexis took the recommendation to heart and began seeing Dr. Ginsberg – a decision that would later prove to be lifesaving.
“I never once thought it could be my heart. It’s actually the one body part I didn’t worry about.” – Alexis
“I never once thought It could be my heart. It’s actually the one body part I didn’t worry about.” – Alexis
Taking Symptoms to Heart
Fast forward to age 49, Alexis began experiencing what she thought was severe acid reflux due to new osteoporosis medication. “I started getting excruciating, crushing pain in my chest,” she recalled. Despite gastrointestinal medication, her symptoms persisted over the course of a month, causing fatigue, dizziness, and even projectile vomiting. “I just thought I had a stomach virus,” she added.
An Annual Checkup Turns Urgent
When Alexis’ annual cardiology visit came around, Dr. Ginsberg immediately noticed Alexis’ abnormal EKG. He asked her: “Are you winded? Is your neck bothering you?” She had all those symptoms, but he was the first doctor to ask those questions.
Dr. Ginsberg then sent Alexis for an echocardiogram, which led to a startling discovery: Alexis had suffered a small heart attack at some point in the prior several weeks. The revelation was alarming, and underscored the unpredictability of heart disease, especially among women.
“I would say that Alexis’ checkup that day saved her life.”
Clinical Cardiologist
“I would say that Alexis’ checkup that day saved her life.”
Clinical Cardiologist
“We treat patients with compassion, as if they are family members.”
Interventional Cardiologist
“We treat patients with compassion, as if they are family members.”
Interventional Cardiologist
Race to Heal a Heart
Alexis was scheduled for a cardiac catheterization at Cooper University Hospital the next morning. It was in the procedure that Alexis’ interventional cardiologist, Dr. Topalian, could see that Alexis had a 90 percent blockage in her main “widow maker” artery. “We unclogged the blockage, put in a stent and restored the blood flow to her heart muscle,” he explained. Within minutes, Alexis felt like herself again.
The shocking news of the heart attack was eased by the compassion of her cardiac team. “The care at Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care is like no other. From the person who comes in to take your vitals to the person changing the bed sheets… They’re extraordinary there,” Alexis said.
Don’t Wait for a Wake-Up Call
A year later, Alexis is now a voice for women’s hearts. “What I live for now is spreading awareness about women’s heart health… Now all my girlfriends have gone to Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care for their baseline cardiac screen. If I can impact one woman, help save one life, then I’ve done my job.”
Today, Alexis embraces her 50s with open arms, grateful for the compassionate care she received. “I’d like to thank my cardiac care team, from the bottom of my healthy heart.”
“If I can impact one woman, help save one life, then I’ve done my job.” – Alexis
