In Latoya Jordan’s world, “family comes first” is more than a mantra. It’s a way of life, as a wife and mother raising four fearless daughters.
While living in New York, Latoya learned how to be strong, determined and face challenges head-on — lessons she now instills in her own children. These traits proved useful when the Jordans resettled in the South at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But between the big move and preparing the girls for virtual school, Latoya found it difficult to squeeze in any ‘me time.’ Caring for her little ones often led to putting her own health last.
However, with two different heart conditions — a murmur and high blood pressure — the mother needed tailored care to live her fullest life.
With the help of Wellstar, Latoya got expert care to stay heart healthy, right in her new neighborhood. But beyond that, she found a trusted healthcare family that had her covered when it came to her well-being.
LatoyaCare
Published on November 11, 2021
Last updated 10:25 AM November 11, 2021
As a busy mom, I don’t have a lot of time to myself, but I wanted to be healthier for my kids and family. Now, I have my heart murmur and high blood pressure under control, and I’m going to live a long time.
- Latoya Jordan
Wellstar Heart Care Patient
Listen to Latoya's Story
Finding care during COVID-19
When the Jordans moved over 900 miles from New York to Georgia, they looked forward to catching up with family and never missing a Double Dutch jump rope match again. But COVID-19 quickly changed their plans.
“We moved at the beginning of the pandemic. It was hard getting to know a new area, but we made it. My kids couldn’t go to school for the first year,” Latoya said, explaining the stressful time.
“At the start, I didn’t have a doctor or insurance either,” she said. And, because all of her providers were based in New York, she also went without her prescription medicine for a period of time.
But when she started experiencing headaches and minor chest pains, Latoya knew it was time to get care for her heart murmur and high blood pressure.
After establishing a primary care provider, Latoya was quickly connected with specialty care at Wellstar Avalon Health Park. The mother of four was grateful to get safe care during the pandemic.
“I wasn’t afraid to go to the doctor. I was thankful to be able to get care,” Latoya said about getting treatment when she needed it most.
Here, Wellstar Cardiologist Dr. Natasha Mamdani partnered with Latoya to create a personalized treatment plan for her cardiac conditions and keep her heart healthy.
One-of-a-kind heart care
Ever since the beginning, Dr. Mamdani has been committed to creating a care plan centered around Latoya’s unique needs.
“Latoya was initially diagnosed with hypertension during her last pregnancy. After giving birth, her symptoms improved,” Dr. Mamdani said, explaining the mother’s situation. “However, she developed high blood pressure months later.”
“This can be quite common. When someone has gestational hypertension, it can often lead to having hypertension later in life,” Dr. Mamdani said.
Because of the hectic move and gap in care after leaving the Empire State, Latoya went without her medications for a few months, which caused uncontrolled hypertension.
To bring her blood pressure back down to a normal level, Dr. Mamdani prescribed heart medications that would work best for Latoya and monitored her closely. She created a tailored care plan to keep the mother feeling her best.
“Every single patient is different. Latoya’s treatment plan was built around what did and didn’t work for her,” Dr. Mamdani said about how she used PeopleCare in her approach.
“I took my blood pressure three times a day,” Latoya said, describing the plan to get her heart health under control. “Dr. Mamdani worked with me to find the right medications and dosage. I saw her every two weeks to make sure my levels were going down.”
Along with specialized care, Latoya found compassion and support from team members every time she stopped at Wellstar Avalon Health Park.
“At Wellstar, everyone is very friendly and kind. They make you feel welcome,” Latoya shared. “When I go to my appointments, everyone knows my name and remembers who I am. It feels like we’re family and we’ve known each other for a long time.”
After just a handful of visits, her blood pressure was back under control. But even with Latoya’s quick success, Dr. Mamdani encouraged her to make lasting changes to stay well in the long run.
Leaving the comfort zone
Along with medicines to manage her heart conditions, Dr. Mamdani also gave Latoya a “prescription” for health. This meant forming new, healthier habits for diet and exercise.
“When it comes to heart health, staying active is important even if it’s just walking 20 to 30 minutes a day,” Dr. Mamdani explained. “It’s also helpful to eat a diet low in carbs and animal fats like red meat.”
Having the support of the Wellstar family has been crucial during Latoya’s new wellness journey. She has learned different ways to manage her heart conditions and how to have fun along the way.
“Before trying a new food, we always do a little taste test first,” Latoya smiled. “So far, my favorite healthy food is asparagus. Our whole family loves it.”
She added, “We even have ‘Vegan Mondays’ to try a new vegan meal each week.”
With her busy schedule, Latoya has made it a point to prioritize her health needs. She is focusing on finding exercises she enjoys and doing them whenever she can.
“It’s hard to fit in exercise, but I’m trying my best,” Latoya said. “I enjoy riding my bike outside, visiting trails and new dog parks.”
All of Latoya’s willpower has led to real changes in her health.
“After finding the right medications and monitoring her diet and exercise changes, Latoya’s blood pressure is now well controlled,” Dr. Mamdani said. “I am happy with her results.”
“For physicians, it’s our job to present information in a way patients understand and are able to take home the lessons we teach them,” the cardiologist said about her role in Latoya’s journey.
Along with healthy habits, Latoya has discovered another important lesson: taking care of her own wellness needs to be there for her family longer.
“As a busy mom, I don’t have a lot of time to myself, but I wanted to be healthier for my kids and family,” Latoya said, sharing how her loved ones became her motivation.
“Now, I have my heart murmur and high blood pressure under control, and I’m going to live a long time.”
Moving forward, Latoya’s future and heart health look brighter than ever, especially with her Wellstar family by her side.
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Highlights
Wellstar Comprehensive Aortic Program Provides Complete Care for Aortic Conditions
A new multidisciplinary program at Wellstar cares for people with aortic conditions, providing both emergency and non-emergent treatment.
The Wellstar Comprehensive Aortic Program brings together a highly-skilled team of experts, including cardiovascular surgeons and vascular surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. These providers share the common goal of diagnosing, treating and preventing aortic diseases and emergencies — making care more comprehensive and improving outcomes for patients.
“Traditionally, aortic diseases have been managed by multiple physicians spread throughout multiple specialties, which can lead to confusion, delays in treatment and competing treatment plans,” said Wellstar Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. James Ryan Burke. “Wellstar has created a single, multidisciplinary program to bring together aortic-specific disease expertise and leverage advanced technology.”
Aortic health is crucial to overall wellness
The aorta is the major artery that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. If the aorta is ruptured, then blood does not flow to other areas like the legs, feet and brain, which can lead to lasting brain damage or death.
An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in the wall of the aorta. Aneurysms are often asymptomatic until they become large, rupture or dissect. However, an aortic dissection, when a tear develops on the inner wall of the aorta, is one for concern. Depending on the aneurysm location, the most common symptom could be one of severe chest pain, back pain, or abdominal pain. When an aneurysm ruptures or tears, it can lead to death within minutes or hours.
Wellstar’s aortic program takes a proactive approach to prevent aneurysms by monitoring and treating aortic conditions.
“Identifying aortic pathology early leads to better patient outcomes,” said Wellstar Cardiovascular Disease Specialist Dr. Jennifer Giuseffi.
The program’s team partners with patients to reduce their risk of an aortic emergency. Risk factors include tobacco use, being older than 65, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, history of coronary artery disease or peripheral vascular disease, family history of aneurysms, certain connective tissue disorders, and certain genetic conditions. Men are also at higher risk than women.
The team of aortic care specialists gets to know each patient and collaborates with them to create a personalized care plan to keep their aorta healthy.
“Every patient is different. Every aorta is different. The risk factors and complications with every aorta are different,” Dr. Giuseffi said. “Within our group, we’ll be able to address all of our patients’ issues individually.”
Wellstar’s approach to aortic care brings together experts from multiple specialties, allowing patients to have all their questions answered and get multiple perspectives.
“All patients with aortic diseases being cared for at Wellstar will benefit long-term through the program’s unique collaboration of health care practitioners from cardiology, cardiac surgery and vascular surgery all working together to ensure the best possible care and outcomes for patients with these complex heart conditions,” said Vascular Surgeon Dr. Michael Corey.
Managing aortic emergencies
While the program includes an outpatient component to help patients manage aortic conditions or recover from aneurysms or dissections, the systemwide team is also prepared to save lives and step into action during emergencies.
The program offers treatments including aortic root and aortic valve surgery, thoracic aortic surgery and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery.
If you experience any of these symptoms of aortic disease, call 911:
- Severe, sudden pain in the chest, back, abdomen or groin area
- Pulsating feeling in the abdomen similar to a heartbeat
- Cold, numbness or tingling in the hands, legs or feet
- Drop in blood pressure, dizziness or feeling faint
While the team performs procedures at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, care teams at all Wellstar hospitals are trained in how to address aortic emergencies and transfer patients if needed. Kennestone was the first hospital in Georgia and only fourth in the country to receive the highest certification in cardiovascular care — the Comprehensive Cardiac Care Center Certification — by The Joint Commission and American Heart Association.
Receiving care from the Wellstar Comprehensive Aortic Program
To see a provider in the aortic program, patients can either be referred by their physician or call the office to make an appointment. The team will help patients determine which provider they should see first, depending on their health history or aortic condition. Call (770) 590-4180 to make an appointment or learn more about the program.
Newsroom
Wellstar Recognized for Expert Patient Care
Wellstar is dedicated to serving our communities with high-quality care that’s conveniently located and accessible when it is needed most.
Several Wellstar facilities have been recognized in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings for providing world-class care in a variety of specialties, including cardiology, neurology and cancer care. Hospitals ranked as high-performing in an area of care are in the top 10 percent in the country.
Our team is grateful to be recognized for our care and looks forward to continuing our mission to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. To learn more about care at Wellstar, call (770) 956-STAR (7827).
Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center was recognized as high-performing in care for:
- Congestive heart failure
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Wellstar Cobb Medical Center was recognized as high-performing in treating:
- Congestive heart failure
- COPD
- Heart attacks
- Kidney failure
- Strokes
Wellstar Douglas Medical Center was named high-performing in treating:
- Congestive heart failure
- COPD
- Kidney failure
- Pneumonia
- Strokes
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center was ranked 32nd in the nation for rehabilitation services and the hospital ranked ninth in the state overall. It was also named a Best Regional Hospital and was recognized as high-performing in the following procedures and treatments:
- Heart bypass surgery
- Congestive heart failure
- Colon cancer surgery
- COPD
- Diabetes
- Heart attacks
- Hip replacement
- Kidney failure
- Knee replacement
- Lung cancer surgery
- Prostate cancer surgery
- Strokes
Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center was recognized as high-performing in treating:
- Congestive heart failure
- COPD
- Strokes
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center was named high-performing in care for:
- Congestive heart failure
- COPD
- Hip fractures
- Kidney failure
- Pneumonia
Wellstar Spalding Medical Center was recognized as high-performing in treating:
- Congestive heart failure
- COPD
- Strokes
Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center was named high-performing in treating:
- Congestive heart failure
- COPD
- Kidney failure
- Pneumonia
Newsroom
Wellstar Douglas Hospital Earns Advanced Certification
Wellstar Douglas Hospital recently attained advanced certification as a Primary Heart Attack Center (PHAC) by The Joint Commission and The American Heart Association. This means the hospital offers patients the next generation of cardiac care.
“Our cardiac experts in Douglas County are dedicated to doing what is best for the patient,” said Dr. Joshua M. Willis, Medical Director of Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Wellstar Douglas Hospital. “The Joint Commission certification shows that our cardiac program is designed to help people having heart attacks receive the fastest, most evidence-based care.”
Wellstar Douglas Hospital has 24-hour-a-day coverage to treat heart attacks. The hospital’s team communicates with first responders, so patients can get diagnosed and treated as fast as possible upon arrival at the hospital by ambulance.
“Everything we do is centered around giving each person the best chance for positive outcomes,” Dr. Willis said.
The hospital’s team aims to get patients diagnosed fast by performing cardiac tests within 10 minutes of arrival at the hospital. For patients who need surgical intervention, Wellstar Douglas Hospital’s interventional cardiologists perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) — a minimally-invasive procedure that restores blood flow to the heart — within a 90-minute-window.
According to Gene Morris, Director of Cardiac and Vascular Services, the cardiac team has performed 2,500 PCIs since the program launched in 2012.
Wellstar Douglas Hospital is also designated as an Emergency Cardiac Care Center (ECCC) Level II by the Georgia Department of Public Health.
To learn more about Wellstar Douglas Hospital, please visit the hospital webpage.