Carol Clark

Two of Carol’s heart valves were being monitored by McLeod Cardiologist Dr. Amit Pande. When the valves reached the point of needing surgical intervention, Dr. Pande referred Carol to McLeod Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Robert Messier at McLeod Regional Medical Center.

The heart has four valves that are essentially flaps of tissue, whose job is to keep the blood flowing in one direction through the heart and body. Valves undergo a constant beating – opening and closing about 100,000 times a day. If they do not open or close properly the heart must work harder to pump blood leading to further complications.

Heart valve disease can be hereditary, present at birth or a result of the normal aging process. By age 50, those valves have opened and closed nearly two trillion times.

Many people with valve disease go a lifetime with no symptoms. However, the physical signs include chest pain, tiredness, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness.

Treatment can be as simple as medication. However, more serious problems require surgical repair or replacement of the valve.

“Dr. Messier explained to me that my heart valves were in really bad shape,” said Carol. “He told me if I had waited three more months for surgery it was possible that he would not have been able to help me. I took his words very seriously.”

Carol was scheduled for a surgical replacement for her two heart valves.

“Mine was an extensive nine-and-a-half-hour surgery,” said Carol. “At one point during the surgery they notified my family the back side of my heart was bleeding. Dr. Messier and his team fought hard to save my life.

“Several days after surgery, Dr. Messier came to see me in my hospital room. He said, ‘I told you I would get you through this.’ I thanked Dr. Messier for all he has done for me and his response was ‘my pleasure.’ What a great thing to hear from a surgeon.  I will cherish what he did for me forever and will always be thankful to Dr. Pande for referring me to Dr. Messier.

“Raine and I go everywhere together. My sister Annie and her husband Ken took great care of her while I was in the hospital, but I know it would have been devastating for Raine if I did not come home,” added Carol.

Today, Carol is doing well and is self-sufficient doing her own yard work at her home in Myrtle Beach. She loves to swim and although she says she has not gotten back into the pool yet, she intends to soon.

“Dr. Pande and Dr. Messier are both wonderfully compassionate men. I will always speak highly of them and McLeod. There is only one place to go for heart care and that is McLeod,” said Carol.