Feeling Grateful to Have Heart Care Close to Home
Husband, Father, Boat Captain
“I feel so much better already. My father and grandfather both died fairly young of heart attacks. I don't want that to be me.”
Larry Spencer, 67, has lived in Sault Ste. Marie for more than 50 years. Although heart disease runs in his family, it wasn’t until he had a scare while traveling that he reached out to his primary care provider Timothy Tetzlaff, D.O., to figure out what might be going on. Dr. Tetzlaff recommended Spencer consult with MyMichigan colleague James (Jamie) Armstrong, P.A.-C., in cardiology at MyMichigan Medical Center Sault.
Spencer shared his troubling experience when he was traveling with his wife to Arizona to visit their son. “I’m not in the best shape of my life,” said Spencer. “We were rushing through the airport to catch our flight, and I just couldn’t catch my breath. My heart was palpitating. My wife looked over at me and said I was turning gray. That was a scary moment.”
Spencer didn’t do well on a subsequent stress test and visited Jamie Armstrong in the MyMichigan Cardiology office. He ordered a heart CT scan. “Fortunately, we didn’t find any blockages,” said Armstrong. “I took a good look at Mr. Spencer’s medications and made some adjustments to his blood pressure regimen. We also discussed some lifestyle changes to help reduce his chances of needing serious cardiac intervention, include diet modifications and adding exercise to his routine.”
Addressing risk factors is key to reducing your risk of heart disease, Armstrong explained. “Controlling stress and blood pressure, avoiding smoking, maintaining healthy weight, diet and cholesterol levels are all important for heart health,” he added. “When you have family history of heart disease and are over 65 like Spencer, paying close attention to the risks and maintaining good relationships with members of your health care team become paramount.”
Spencer is shocked at the improvement he felt after the medication adjustment. “I feel so much better already,” he said. “I’m so happy Dr. Tetzlaff connected me with Jamie. He is clear and forthright about what I can and need to do without being judgmental or making me feel bad about myself. I have made some changes to my diet and plan to up my exercise. My father and grandfather both died fairly young from heart attacks; I don’t want that to be me.”
Spencer feels grateful to have heart care close to home. He maintains regular checkups with Armstrong at MyMichigan and received a good report during his most recent visit. He continues working part-time as a boat captain, which he loves. “The Great Lakes have been such a big part of my life,” Spencer said. “I want to continue enjoying it, and that means working with my care team to achieve my goals so that I can live a long, healthy life.”
Those who would like to inquire about becoming a patient of MyMichigan Cardiology may call (906) 632-5836. Those seeking information about MyMichigan’s comprehensive Heart and Vascular Program may visit www.mymichigan.org/heartandvascular.
