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 February 13, 2025
Last updated 11:30 AM February 13, 2025
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 her previous care team was 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 clinician, 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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How Wellstar’s Cardio-Oncology Program Protects Heart Health During Cancer Care
Expertise in heart disease and cancer care
Researchers have identified a connection between cancer care and cardiovascular health, leading to the creation of cardio-oncology. At Wellstar, this specialized care is available in metro Atlanta and Augusta, expanding access for people across Georgia. “Cardio-oncology exists because more people are surviving cancer and living long enough to face heart-related complications,” said Dr. Avirup Guha, a board-certified cardio-oncologist at Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center and the first designated fellow of the International Cardio-Oncology Society in Georgia. “For some patients, cancer treatments can damage their heart. For others, they may have existing cardiovascular disease that needs careful management during cancer care. That requires expertise beyond cardiology—knowing how to modify therapy without causing harm.” Cardio-oncologists are cardiologists with advanced training in how cancer therapies affect the heart. They help guide treatment decisions and work closely with oncology teams to ensure patients receive safe, effective care. “A lot of oncology treatments are very effective for cancer, but the heart can become an innocent bystander,” said Wellstar Cardio-Oncologist Dr. Nikolas Krishna, who also specializes in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. “We advocate for these patients so their oncology and cardiology teams work together for the best possible outcome.”Coordinated, team-based care
Multidisciplinary collaboration is central to Wellstar Cardio-Oncology. Cardiologists, oncologists, nurse navigators and other specialists communicate directly to align care and support both cancer outcomes and heart health. “Our program helps address complications before they happen and streamlines care so people aren’t going back and forth between specialists,” Dr. Guha said. Wellstar Cardio-Oncology teams partner with patients and families to understand risks and create a personalized plan. This may include imaging, blood tests and ongoing monitoring to detect early signs of heart conditions during chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiation. Additionally, Wellstar Cardio-Oncology nurse navigators—registered nurses with advanced training—provide compassionate guidance throughout the care journey. “Nurse navigation plays a key role in educating patients and making sure they .understand their care plan,” said Dr. Guha. “It’s all about communication.”Who can benefit from cardio-oncology care
Cardio-oncology care supports people from diagnosis through survivorship, especially when treatments or existing conditions may affect heart health. You may benefit from cardio-oncology services if you have cancer or were treated for cancer within the past five years and you:- Have heart failure or another existing heart condition
- Are at high risk for heart disease
- Have experienced cardiovascular complications after cancer treatment
- Require chemotherapy that may be cardiotoxic or radiation therapy to the chest
Support that extends into survivorship
When cancer treatment ends, Wellstar Cardio-Oncology teams continue monitoring heart health and providing preventive care tailored to each person’s history. “Survivors may face accelerated cardiovascular risks years later,” said Dr. Krishna. “By continuing to screen and monitor, we can help catch any issues and protect their long-term health and quality of life.” This ongoing care gives patients greater peace of mind as they navigate recovery. “We want patients to know we are a layer of reassurance,” Dr. Krishna said. “They don’t have to worry about treatment hurting their heart—we are here to protect it so they can focus on healing.” By combining advanced expertise, early monitoring and compassionate support, Wellstar’s Cardio-Oncology Program helps people face cancer with confidence. Learn more about cardio-oncology services at Wellstar.
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Pat Gelisse has been dancing for 30 years. She even taught the Carolina shag for a while. It’s a partner dance, sometimes compared to Swing dancing to beach music.
But severe heart failure downgraded Pat’s dancing queen status for close to 10 years.
“I went from feeling happy to feeling like a nothing,” she remembered of that time in her life.
With a team of Wellstar heart specialists working together for her, Pat found hope and new life on the dance floor.
Heart failure masquerades as acid reflux
It started more than a decade ago when Pat lived in central Georgia. She scheduled a doctor’s appointment for what she thought was acid reflux. She popped in on a quick break from her marketing job, assuming it wouldn’t take long.
Blood work and an EKG got Pat a ticket straight to the hospital and a quadruple bypass.
“My heart got worse; it wasn’t pumping blood,” Pat said.
She was in acute heart failure, a life-threatening condition where the heart doesn’t pump well enough to deliver the necessary amount of oxygen to her body. Pat’s ejection fraction (EF)—the percentage measurement of the blood that leaves the heart each time it pumps—was only 10%. The normal range is 50 to 70%.
It was a scary time, and with a family history of heart problems, Pat was worried. She’d lost both parents to heart failure, as well as other family members.
“I just knew for sure I was going to be next,” said Pat.
Doctors from various academic institutions discussed serious treatments ranging from LVAD to transplant, but because the pumping performance of her heart improved, she was no longer a candidate for those procedures. Instead, Pat spent close to nine years managing her heart failure with a pacemaker and various medications—treatments that failed to get her back on the dance floor.
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KevinCare
There aren’t many people out there who can say they survived cardiac arrest at 30. Kevin Miskewicz can.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 90% of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die. Those who survive often have permanent neurological disabilities. But Kevin’s story has an incredibly fortunate ending, thanks to the highly coordinated work of his medical experts at Wellstar.
Recovering from cardiac arrest is something Kevin will never forget. It lives forever as a piece of his health history—one that includes a dedicated healthcare team—and his wife, who was the first to save his life.
CPR to the rescue
Kevin woke up on Labor Day 2017 at 5:30 AM to take the dog out. Pausing to adjust the thermostat as he came in, he fell, knocking over a lamp.
He was in cardiac arrest.
With no symptoms and no known pre-existing condition, this was unexpected, but that didn’t stop his wife, Andrea, from jumping into action.
“If it weren’t for me knocking over a lamp when I passed out,” said Kevin, “she would have never woken up and saved my life.”
In addition to calling 911 and unlocking the door for the paramedics, Andrea performed CPR for 10 minutes.
“Kevin’s wife doing good CPR was critical,” said Dr. Arthur Reitman, the interventional cardiologist who was a vital part of Kevin’s treatment team at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. “More than five minutes of poor blood flow to the brain can result in permanent irreparable injury from which a patient is unable to recover.”
Coordinating multidisciplinary care to save a life
When paramedics arrived at Kevin’s home, he had no pulse and was not breathing. As the paramedics performed their lifesaving work, he technically died two times.
The ambulance took him to Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, where he was initially assessed and treated by Dr. David Jacoboff. The interventional cardiologist implanted an intra-aortic balloon pump to stabilize him. Then, he transferred Kevin to Wellstar Kennestone for highly specialized heart care.
When Kevin arrived at Wellstar Kennestone by helicopter, his heart function wasn’t strong enough to support his body. Dr. Reitman and a team of doctors including a cardiologist, a pulmonologist and critical care doctors worked in tandem to put Kevin on an advanced life support system called veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Better known as VA-ECMO, it took the heart “offline” so it could heal. The technology removed unoxygenated blood from his body, oxygenated it and pumped it back in for the next three days.
“Very few places in the state—only four or five hospitals—have the technology and specialized training to put a patient on ECMO,” Dr. Reitman explained.