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JohnCare

Published on February 20, 2021

Last updated 09:11 AM February 26, 2021

John Petrick standing by his dock.

John Petrick loves the simple things in life. He revels in time spent with family, reeling in a big catch and feeling the crisp wind in his face during a morning bike ride.

However, for a man that enjoys such simple pleasures, John’s heart health is quite complicated. For a long time, his well-being felt like a puzzle that no one could quite figure out.

John’s complex heart issues first began over two decades ago, when he nearly died after his heart suddenly went into an abnormal rhythm.

After the life-threatening heart episode, specialists in California diagnosed him with ventricular tachycardia (VT), a severe heart condition in which abnormal electrical signals cause the heart to beat faster. Then later, he was also diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular and rapid heart rhythm that can cause heart palpitations and shortness of breath.

From defibrillators to heart surgeries, John and his Californian care team worked hard to manage the ups and downs of his heart conditions. But after spending years in the Golden State, John was ready to take on a new adventure: moving over 2,000 miles away to Georgia.

“The decision to move to Georgia was difficult because of my heart conditions,” John shared. “I needed a doctor who would really take the time to sort everything out.”

Luckily, it wasn’t long before John was connected with an entire team of Wellstar heart experts delivering comprehensive care all within the same health system.

Finding the right rhythm

Before being referred for specialty care by his Wellstar primary care provider, John briefly received heart care from another health system in Georgia. However, he had some reservations about his treatment.

“Honestly, it wasn’t the level of care – especially in terms of empathy – that I was used to,” he admitted. “And that’s a scary situation when you have a condition like mine.”

That was never a problem at Wellstar. As soon as he met with Wellstar Health System Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology Dr. Narendra Kanuru, John knew the physician was in his corner.

“I could tell Dr. Kanuru really took the time to study my case,” John said, remembering his first visit with the specialist. “He recited my medical history from the last 20 years, without having to look at any papers.”

Since then, they have developed a great healthcare partnership, always keeping an open line of communication.

“I feel so comfortable expressing any fears or apprehensions about my conditions or treatment with Dr. Kanuru. He’s always very receptive,” John shared. “His level of empathy, professional expertise and ability to communicate and understand me is just as valuable as his technical, medical skills.”

Along with Dr. Kanuru’s expertise, Wellstar Cardiologist Dr. David Caras provides an essential complement to John’s cardiovascular care. While a cardiac electrophysiologist hones in on the functional and rhythmic areas of the heart, a cardiologist offers a broad spectrum of heart care.

While each focusing on their areas of expertise, the two heart specialists collaborate to create the best treatment plan for John, and adjust it along the way.

“Dr. Kanuru and Dr. Caras work together as a team,” John said. “It’s truly remarkable and beautiful. Often, I’ll go to see one of the doctors and they’ll mention a conversation they had about me with the other recently.”

I feel like I am an important person to Wellstar. When I make requests, I am heard. My thoughts and feelings are considered, and I’m always in agreement with the treatments my doctors choose. My life is much better because of the collaboration between experts and the overall empathy of my care team.

- John Petrick

Wellstar Heart Care Patient

Coordinated cardiac care

However, John’s most recent diagnosis of congestive heart failure — caused when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as efficiently as it should — and the development of a new arrhythmic pattern required reinforcements.

That’s when Wellstar Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Jacob Blatt and Wellstar Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist Dr. David Snipelisky entered the picture. The two specialists helped make sense of the new pieces of John’s heart health puzzle.

“Mr. Petrick has quite a complex clinical picture with both heart failure and electrical instability,” Dr. Snipelisky said. “His heart muscle that pumps blood to the rest of the body isn’t functioning normally. He also has experienced many arrhythmias, including Afib and VT which can be lethal.”

The heart experts have worked through many of John’s health hurdles together, including a VT ablation performed by Dr. Blatt. This procedure can help restore a regular heart rhythm by eliminating certain spots causing erratic signals.

Now, with John’s latest diagnosis of congestive heart failure, Dr. Snipelisky has taken the lead to help improve his heart function and keep him hopeful for the future.

“We are looking at the big picture and not just trying to put a bandage on it,” Dr. Snipelisky said, explaining his long-term approach to John’s care. “Even though Mr. Petrick is doing well now, I am focused on what I can do to keep him well in five years, or even ten years from now.”

John has benefited from the close collaboration of all of his Wellstar cardiac specialists, a goal that the entire system strives for with each and every person.

“Our approach to patient care is truly a multidisciplinary effort,” Dr. Snipelisky said. “At Wellstar, we have a team-driven environment that doesn’t come close to a lot of other programs.”

Focused on the future

As John continues to navigate congestive heart failure, he keeps a positive outlook about his health. With world-class heart care and dedicated specialists on his team, John can live life to the fullest instead of worrying about his wellness.

“I feel like I am an important person to Wellstar. When I make requests, I am heard. My thoughts and feelings are considered, and I’m always in agreement with the treatments my doctors choose. My life is much better because of the collaboration between experts and the overall empathy of my care team,” John said, sharing his experience with the health system.

“With everything I have been through, I am surprised that my quality of life is as high as it is, and I think that my doctors take pride in that,” he continued.

Now, John can focus on being there for his entire family for many years to come. Through his experience, he has learned how each heart expert holds a unique piece of the puzzle to his health, providing comprehensive cardiac care for all of his diagnoses.

Moving forward, the Wellstar team will always be there to help manage the complexities of John’s conditions, so he can get back to what really matters: living simply and staying heart healthy.

Tags

Narendra Kumar Kanuru David Sarandos Caras Jacob Nathan Blatt
PeopleCare Heart Care
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The peripheral vascular care team at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, a leading facility in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE), has completed its 250th venous thromboembolism (VTE) procedure.

According to the American Heart Association, VTE is the third most common vascular diagnosis after heart attacks and strokes, and affects between 300,000 and 600,000 Americans each year. There are two types of VTE: 

  • Deep vein thrombosis is a clot in a deep vein. It usually occurs in the leg, but it can also appear in the arms.
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VTE can be fatal and can cause lifelong disability. Early intervention is crucial. At Wellstar North Fulton, the heart care team was an early adopter of a groundbreaking treatment for VTE, which uses a catheter to remove the clot. The healthcare provider inserts the catheter through the groin and navigates it to the clot for treatment. 

“This has been a game changer in the treatment of this disease,” said Wellstar Cardiologist Dr. Ahsan Achtchi. “We’re seeing a lot less long-term disability and a lot less deaths in patients who come to the hospital with a blood clot.”

Wellstar North Fulton continues to receive referrals from around the region for this procedure and is one of the highest volume hospitals for VTE care in metro Atlanta. 

Previous treatment options included open chest surgery, blood thinners and clot-busting medications. These methods posed a higher risk of complications, especially for patients who have recently undergone another surgical procedure. Because a recent surgery can put a patient at higher risk for VTE, using a catheter to remove the clot is safer for many patients. This new treatment method has reduced patients’ hospital stays for VTE from an average of five to seven days to only one or two days, according to Dr. Achtchi.

“Typically with this procedure, patients feel better almost immediately, and their recovery outside the hospital is a lot more complete and brisk,” he said.

Recognizing and preventing VTE

If you or someone else is showing signs of VTE, seek emergency care as soon as possible.

Symptoms of VTE include:

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Risk factors for VTE include not moving for a longer period of time—such as when someone is on bed rest following surgery—as well as some medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders or kidney disease. Your Wellstar provider can help you evaluate your risk of VTE and manage your risk factors.

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Patient Ralph Aiken. Text reads "RalphCare"

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Douglasville, Georgia resident Ralph Aiken experienced a motorcycle accident in April of 2022. The 82-year-old was thrown 10 feet in the air and another 20 feet down into a hole, suffering a broken left leg below the knee. As part of his healing, Aiken worked closely with Dawnette Waters, Wellstar Physical Therapist, to rebuild muscle in the injured leg.

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“Wellstar is very well-operated and efficient, and the doctors, the nurses and the therapists are top-notch. I wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for the therapy staff,” Aiken says, choking up.

In early March of this year, Aiken enthusiastically reunited with his entire care team at Wellstar. Smiles and hugs were the mood of the day, as each recalled the events that led to Aiken still being with us to enjoy life.

Today, Aiken continues to exercise and is proud of his active lifestyle, despite his age. “Look at me. How many 82-year-old men have a 34-inch waist and an arm muscle like that?” he says, showing off his impressive bicep.

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The care teams at Wellstar are dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of everyone we serve, and we thank our team members for their commitment to world-class care. We also thank Cobb residents for trusting the expertise of Wellstar to keep their families healthy and provide them with more than healthcare, PeopleCare.
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    Wellstar Internal Medicine
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    Best General Practice Doctor, Second Place

  • Kozue Cunningham
    Wellstar Health Place
    Best Massage Therapist, First Place

  • Diedre Greene, MD
    Wellstar Pediatrics
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  • Amy Gross
    Wellstar Outpatient Rehabilitation
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    Wellstar Podiatry
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  • Amy Kewin, MD
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    Wellstar Health Place
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    Wellstar Pulmonary Medicine
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  • David Parks, MD
    Wellstar ENT
    Best ENT Specialist, First Place

  • Dhaval Patel, MD
    Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care
    Best Cardiac/Vascular Specialist, Third Place

  • Daniel Saade, MD
    Wellstar Pediatrics
    Best Pediatrician, Third Place

  • Carolyn Smallwood, DO
    Wellstar Primary Care
    Best General Practice Doctor, First Place
    Best Family Physician, Second Place

  • Randall Webb, MD
    Wellstar OB/GYN
    Best OB/GYN, Third Place

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