some, like Randi, it stems from a congenital heart defect
called a bicuspid aortic valve or heart murmur.
Randi is grateful to the family medicine physician in
Prescott who detected her worsening heart valve. He re-
ferred her to a YRMC PhysicianCare cardiologist who di-
agnosed, monitored and helped her manage the condition.
Unfortunately, there are no medicines to cure heart valve
disease. The condition is managed by medications that
lower high blood pressure and reduce high cholesterol. A
healthy diet and active lifestyle also can delay the progress
of heart valve disease. Heart valve disease, however, can
only be corrected with heart valve replacement surgery.
In the fall of 2013, Randi began to experience new
symptoms.
“I had no energy and I was short of breath,” she recalled.
“I was having hot spells.”
A nuclear cardiac study and diagnostic angiogram, both
performed by YRMCʼs Cardiopulmonary Laboratory
team, revealed Randi had a blocked artery in addition to a
deteriorating heart valve.
Randi underwent heart valve replacement surgery and
a single coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in October
2013 at The James Family Heart Center at YRMC West.
Pierre Tibi, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, performed the
operation.
“I was very calm before the surgery. I went in with an
open mind,” said Randi. “As they say, ʻmind over matter.ʼ”
Itʼs that attitude that motivates Randi to take on new
challenges. Since her aortic valve replacement and CABG,
Randi has participated in the City of Prescott Senior
Olympics and the 2016 United States Bowling Congress
(USBC) Womenʼs Championships in Las Vegas. As a
Mended Hearts volunteer, Randi visits patients and fami-
lies in The James Family Heart Center at YRMC.
“I talk to them about my experience and encourage them
to follow their doctorsʼ instructions,” she said. “I let them
know I received the best care at the hospital. Everybody
was wonderful.”
And who would know better than
someone who earned the nickname,
Wonder Woman?
pccnews June 2017
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