Heart Patient Stories

Heart Screenings, Prevention and Diagnostics

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Why Choose Heart Care at Hackensack Meridian Health

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Heart Patients Share Stories of Survival, Inspiration and Encouragement

We care for every heart.

At Hackensack Meridian Health, we ensure that each heart doesn't miss a beat. Our experts perform the most total cardiovascular procedures, and are recognized with more quality awards, than any other network in New Jersey. From award-winning cardiac and vascular surgeons and care teams, to advanced preventative screenings and rehabilitation, we're ready for every heart.

Read more about the many hearts we care for as our patients share their stories of survival, inspiration, and encouragement for others to be heart healthy.

Sports Exec Gets a Win After Shocking Heart Screening Result

A simple test—a CT calcium scoring scan—saves Don Hintze’s life just weeks before his daughter’s wedding.

Colts Neck Realtor Overcomes Heart Arrhythmia

John Sherrod was working on a house when he became dizzy and short of breath. Doctors diagnosed him with atrial flutter and got his heart back into rhythm.

Jersey City Man’s Life Saved by Implanted Heart Device

Darrin Wilkins was experiencing advanced heart failure, but a life-saving heart device is giving him new hope and adding years back to his life.

Brick, NJ, Grandmother Thrives After Widow-maker Heart Attack

Terri Apuzzu didn’t experience the classic heart attack symptoms. But an EKG showed a severe blockage of the left anterior descending artery (LAD).

Heart-Stopping Saga Ends Happily for Westwood, NJ, Man

After several rounds of severe heart attack symptoms, Sam Selvam, a 50-year-old father of two, is saved by leading-edge cardiovascular technology.

Jersey City Man Back in the Gym After Angioplasty and Stenting

After a heart attack and heart disease, Carlos Mercardo’s cardiac procedures went smoothly with the help of a minimally invasive temporary heart pump.

Toms River Woman Beats the Odds to Start Her Dream Family

Nurse Trista Harper didn’t let an initial episode of peripartum cardiomyopathy stop her from realizing her dream of three children.

Colts Neck, NJ, Recovers After “Widowmaker” Heart Attack

After experiencing a “widowmaker” heart attack, Dan Reiss had a multi-step medical journey in heart failure that required six procedures.

Coordinated Care Saves Life of South Amboy Man After Dangerous Heart Condition

When Tony Soto faced a potentially fatal heart condition, coordinated care and quick action saved his life.

Denville, New Jersey, Father Receives Lifesaving Care After Life-threatening Aortic Dissection

Bonit Sharma is grateful for the care he received at Hackensack University Medical Center for a life-threatening aortic dissection.

Cardiac Calcium Scan Saves One Man’s Life

When team members were recruited to test the new cardiac calcium scan procedure, Kevin Jester, signed up, not because he had any worries about his heart health - he just wanted to do his part.

A Little Help From Friends

Maybe you believe in divine intervention. Or maybe you believe in good luck. Whatever you believe in, sometimes good things happen to good people.

Next Steps and Resources:

To make an appointment with a heart or vascular specialist near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
Learn more about cardiac and vascular care at Hackensack Meridian Health.
Schedule a heart screening near you.