Jay Hargis, of Gainesville, Georgia, thought his fatigue was just part of getting older — until a routine checkup revealed a much more serious issue.
For years, I was told I had a heart murmur. It never meant much to me. At 61, I figured my constant fatigue was just part of aging and being overweight. As a teacher and coach, feeling tired seemed normal — huffing and puffing during daily tasks became routine. Game nights and practices wore me out more than they used to, but I chalked it up to the natural effects of aging.
That changed during a visit with my new primary care physician, Dr. Daniel Musser with Northside Family Medicine & Urgent Care. He listened to my heart and said, “Hey, your heart sounds bad.” I appreciated the honesty. He didn’t sugarcoat it — he took immediate action and referred me for evaluation at Northside.
As someone who grew up in the Atlanta area, I was already familiar with Northside Hospital’s outstanding reputation. I was also fortunate to know Julie Mack, a family friend who works in the Northside Hospital system. She reassured me I was in expert hands. When I met Dr. Dan Winston with Northside Cardiac Surgery, I could tell right away he was the right doctor for me.
Dr. Winston recommended an aortic valve replacement. We discussed options and benefits, and ultimately, I received a new heart valve. My family and friends made lighthearted jokes, but I didn’t mind — I was grateful to be alive and looking forward to the future.
Recovery went smoother than I expected, especially considering the complexity of the procedure. I’m already dreaming about walking the beach with my open-heart surgery scar as a badge of strength. I wish I could name every staff member who cared for me — they lifted my spirits and treated me with compassion. I remember a few names: Aneta, Loan and Shailee. A few weeks later, I returned to say thank you in person.
Shortly after surgery, I met Dr. Yasser Rodriguez, an electrophysiologist with Northside Cardiovascular. He explained my recovery plan and monitored an arrhythmia that developed. After performing a successful atrial fibrillation ablation, Dr. Rodriguez connected me with a specialist to address sleep apnea. I now use a CPAP and sleep better than I have in years.
Today, my care is managed by Dr. Mark Leimbach with Northside Cardiovascular. He’s balanced my medications and continues to monitor my heart function. I’m amazed at how good I feel.
I returned to work at North Hall High School in Gainesville after spring break, just in time to coach my track team through regionals and the state meet. My team supported me throughout my recovery, and I was proud to be back with them.
So far, I’ve lost 40 pounds and even pulled out clothes I hadn’t worn in five years. I’m back to doing yardwork, trimming trees and coaching — all without fear. Sure, I have limits, but I’m excited to live and work within them for years to come.
Thank you to everyone at Northside Hospital Heart Institute and Northside Hospital Gwinnett. You gave me my life back.
Learn more about Northside Hospital Heart Institute.
*The health story shared here is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Patients should consult with their own physician before making medical decisions.
