“They give you hope,” shared Stephen Wilson as he spoke to the compassionate care he received at Trina Hidalgo Heart Care Clinic.
Stephen arrived at Trina Hidalgo facing severe heart issues that threatened his survival. Since the end of 2021, Stephen has suffered five heart attacks and two acute ischemic strokes on both hemispheres in his brain. These critical moments led to over six hospitalizations, stage 3 heart failure with left ventricular hypertrophy and stage 3 kidney failure.
Stephen's journey began with subtle signs – unexplained fatigue and bouts of nausea during his days as a construction foreman. Little did he know, these seemingly minor symptoms were signs of a critical heart condition. This all changed when he suffered his first heart attack.
"It felt like someone was stabbing my heart," Stephen recounts, reflecting on the pivotal moment that led him to seek medical attention. With a staggering blood pressure count of 190/120, the severity of his condition became glaringly evident. Stephen’s stage 4 hypertension diagnosis deemed him a liability and he could no longer work.
During a hospital stay at AdventHealth, a compassionate caregiver recommended reaching out to Trina Hidalgo Heart Care Clinic, so Stephen decided to apply. “They have been angels to me,” shared Stephen as he spoke to the clinic’s profound sense of understanding and empathy, "They actually explained what was going on.”
Along with medical treatment and compassionate care, the clinic provided a lifeline of support, covering expenses from blood pressure medications to virtual care, ensuring Stephen felt cared for every step of the way. “I just want to say thank you to everyone involved. From the donors down to the clinic. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. Thank you for your kindness,” shared Stephen as he recognized the generosity that made whole person care possible.
Trina Hidalgo Heart Care Clinic provides free critical heart care services to over 1,000 patients, or almost 3,000 patient visits a year. Many patients can now receive their cardiac care virtually through heart monitors and remote patient monitoring kits which are being provided to underserved and uninsured patients by heartfelt philanthropy.
Click Here to learn more about how philanthropy supports Heart, Lung and Vascular care at AdventHealth.
