Pandora Johnson is always on the move. A craftsman, church volunteer, home chef, server and delivery driver, she loves leading an active life. But, when chest pain became so persistent that it stopped her in her tracks, she searched for help and eventually found it at WakeMed.

Sudden and Intermittent Chest Pain

On Wednesday, January 26, Pandora began experiencing episodic chest pain.

“It would ease on and then hurt so badly. The pain was unlike anything I’d ever felt. It would radiate from my chest, into my neck and down my left arm. I also had trouble breathing. The pain would last for 15 minutes, and then I’d be fine for about 12 hours before it came back. This kept up almost like clock work every 12 hours.”

Initially, Pandora wrote it off as indigestion or something else that would pass. Then on Friday, January 28, Pandora was shopping in the grocery store when the excruciating pain came on harder and took her down.

“I called 911, and an ambulance came minutes later. By that time, the pain was gone. The EMTs checked me out and asked if I’d been under stress because it may be a panic attack. I thought about what they said but felt in my gut that something was really wrong.”

The next day, the pain returned, and this time with even more intensity, so Pandora decided to go to her local emergency department. By the time she arrived, the pain had subsided. Providers ran an EKG, identified no issues with her heart and asked her to wait in the waiting area to be seen by a physician. After an hour, since there were so many people there, Pandora asked if she could wait in her vehicle. However, they did not have the means to call her from her vehicle when it was her turn, so she left.

The pain continued throughout the weekend, and Pandora feared that something was gravely wrong.

A Concerned Family Doctor

“I called my family doctor Monday morning. His staff scheduled me the following day for blood work and a chest x-ray (to detect pneumonia).”

Th x-ray was negative for pneumonia. The blood work showed elevated numbers. Based on this finding along with her other symptoms, her family physician urged her to go to the emergency department for a stress test.

Pandora assured him she’d get a stress test and left his office. Feeling uncomfortable with her prior experience at her local emergency department, she instead called various cardiology offices in her own area, unaware of WakeMed Heart & Vascular Physician Practices, where the standard is to get patients in quickly. None of the cardiology offices in her local area had availability for an immediate stress test. Several days past, the pain continued, and the intervals between episodes grew closer and closer until eventually, she was in constant pain with waves of pain that was excruciating, leading to lethargy and malaise.

“The pain was ongoing and didn’t abate anymore. It was a steady current.”

WakeMed Stands Out

Desperate, Pandora decided to Google “the best heart care in North Carolina.” WakeMed appeared at the top of the list, so on Wednesday, February 9, around 2:00 in the morning, Pandora took the hours-long drive to WakeMed Raleigh Campus emergency department, hoping that someone could help her.

“I parked near the front, walked in and was greeted by a nice lady at the desk. I was shocked that the emergency department was pretty empty. The staff member smiled and told me I was lucky because it had been very busy just minutes before.”

Staff checked Pandora in, and in short order she was taken back for an EKG and blood work.

“It was shocking how much better an experience I had at WakeMed. The facility was so clean. The people were so kind. Honestly, I knew when I walked in the door that I’d be taken care of.”

Once again, her EKG was normal, but her blood work showed elevated levels, so the team decided she needed a stress test.

“They explained the stress test to me. I had an option for a simulated test or a treadmill test. I decided to try the treadmill.”

A Widow Maker Heart Attack

Towards the end of the treadmill stress test, Pandora’s excruciating pain returned, and she told the team she needed to stop. Within seconds, alarms began going off, and the team realized Pandora was having a heart attack.

Cardiologist Padma Hari, MD, FACC, FASE, explains, “Her chest pain was on and off. In our initial evaluation, we found nothing at all concerning until her heart attack on the treadmill.”

Pandora says, “About 20 people suddenly appeared. An IV was put in my arm, and they immediately wheeled me into surgery. I had complete peace during all this commotion. I knew I was in the right hands and that God was with me.”

Awake Cardiac Catheterization

Damien Marycz, MD, the lead interventional cardiologist for Pandora’s procedure, explains, “She initially presented with symptoms that were atypical. She underwent our standard of care which included a stress test. On the treadmill, she had classic symptoms with severe blockage. We took her to the cath lab where we administered mild sedation that kept her awake but made her relaxed and comfortable. We placed a catheter in the radial artery to flow to her heart. With x-ray contrast injected, we located the 80% blockage in the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the front of the heart ⁠— called a widow maker heart attack. A stent was placed to restore blood flow, taking her 80% blockage to 0% after intervention.”

The heart procedure performed on Pandora saved her life.

Pandora recalls that experience. “I heard Classic Rock playing in the background while they performed the procedure. It was very calming for me. The team informed me what was happening the entire time and kept letting me know everything would be alright.”

Regarding the awake cardiac catheterization, Dr. Hari says, “This procedure with mild sedation performed by Dr. Marycz and team is technically more challenging. The patient is not only awake but can talk throughout the surgery. The patient does not feel any pain but is aware of her surroundings.”

A Life Saved. A Team That Cared.

When they wheeled her to the room after surgery, Pandora felt relieved.

“Everyone was so kind and caring. They were concerned and grateful for my life.”

Pandora has also made lifestyle changes to prevent future health emergencies.

“I have definitely made several lifestyle changes. I have joined the gym and plan to start going. I have started watching everything I eat and measuring everything. I have been looking online for healthy foods.”

Dr. Hari will continue to follow-up with Pandora and is thrilled with the outcome.

“Pandora has no heart muscle damage, and we are watching her risk factors. We are happy she was here when it happened because had she been anywhere else, she likely would not have made it.”

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About WakeMed Heart & Vascular

WakeMed Heart & Vascular is the leader in cardiac, vascular and thoracic care, using the latest in innovative procedures and treatments for heart and vascular disease. Our caregivers come together to ensure the highest level of quality and compassionate care, which is at the heart of all we do.

Our tradition of innovation and dedication to advanced clinical care and research make us leading experts in diagnosis, medical management, treatment and interventions to meet the diverse needs of our growing community. Choosing WakeMed Heart & Vascular gives you access to numerous benefits:

• Cardiac and stroke intervention teams available 24 hours-a-day/seven days-a-week — ready when you need us the most
• First hospital in U.S. to introduce Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery
• Robotic-assisted interventional procedures and surgery
• ECMO life support technology
• Advanced Heart Failure Program
• Accredited Chest Pain and Primary Stroke Centers
• State-of-the-art cardiovascular testing
• Mobile Critical Care transportation services