We care for Pam Upp’s heart

Quite simply, if Pam Upp’s rare heart condition hadn’t been detected as early as it had, she could have died.

“Early detection is crucial,” the now healthy 41-year-old said. “Screenings are the only way to identify those problems that don’t give warning signs.”

Self-described as highly competitive and not afraid of anything, Pam’s a busy go-getter and mother of three who’s married to her junior high sweetheart, Scott. When she’s not teaching fifth-graders at Kingsbury Elementary School, Pam actively walks, jogs or works out at the local YMCA.

So when she nonchalantly took part in a women’s heart and vascular screening, Pam simply did not even think she needed the testing. Pam never experienced any warning signs of heart and vascular problems.

The free screenings, offered through the 2 BigHearts Foundation in partnership with the La Porte Hospital Foundation and conducted in the Cardiovascular Diagnostic testing area of La Porte Hospital, are aimed to raise awareness in women with undiagnosed cardiovascular disease and educate women about prevention and detection of heart disease.

“The 2 BigHearts Foundation is pleased to partner with the La Porte Hospital Foundation to fund lifesaving screenings to women like Pam, who have taken the necessary steps to be proactive and prevent loss of life. This is another example of how our mission is fulfilled,” said Jim Clarke, founder of the 2 BigHearts Foundation, in memory of his late wife Gigi and sister-in-law Sally, who both passed away unexpectedly due to heart disease on the same day.

To date, the 2 BigHearts Foundation has offered nearly 1,000 women free, comprehensive screenings with the support of the La Porte Hospital Foundation. The amount of abnormal results gathered from those women is alarming.

Pam’s case was no different. During the comprehensive screening completed in September of 2008, she received several quick and painless tests. Looking back, she remembers enjoying herself in what she thought was a proactive experience to benefit her mother-in-law. Pam remembers completing an EKG screening and noticing a slightly alert look on the nurse’s face when the results were reviewed.

“I thought, ‘this isn’t good,’” Pam remembered.

That same day cardiologist David Gorecki, MD, confirmed Pam had abnormal EKG results. Gorecki is one of many highly qualified, Board Certified physicians within the Heart & Vascular Institute (HVI) at La Porte Regional Health System. HVI is a comprehensive, highly integrated umbrella of medical, interventional and surgical services. The physicians and specialists within the network focus on the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of heart and vascular disease 24/7/365.

Pam made a follow-up appointment the next week, and underwent additional testing within the HVI network. The results concluded the “plumbing” parts of Pam’s heart were healthy as there weren’t any blockages. However, the “electrical” or “wiring” parts of her heart had some serious problems.

For Pam, who eats healthy and exercises regularly, the results left her both confused and somewhat in denial. “I had no signs, no symptoms, no anything. I never suspected it,” she said.

Pam traveled through the HVI network to Electrophysiology (EP) Services, a division of HVI that specializes in the “electrical” operations of the heart at La Porte Hospital

Electrophysiologist Mark Dixon, DO, diagnosed Pam with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome (WPW) in October 2008. In other words, she had a rare but potentially life-threatening condition involving an extra pathway in her heart. The additional pathway ultimately caused Pam to have a rapid and irregular heartbeat.

Still considering her options, Pam continued her daily routines. A day at the local YMCA, however, quickly brought her condition, and ultimately her existence, to attention. After a relatively light exercise class, Pam felt nauseous, dizzy and faint.

The experience led Pam to undergo an EP study and catheter ablation to correct her problem in December 2008 for three main reasons: Kevin, 18; Kyle, 16; and Travis, 11. “I’m not afraid of any procedure,” Pam said, “but dying was not an option. I need to be here for my boys.”

Following the successful EP/ablation procedure, Pam’s tachycardia or excessive heart rate was eliminated. She continues to attend follow up appointments every six months to monitor her condition within HVI — the only comprehensive institute of its kind in Northwest Indiana.

“For me, it was the children and my family. I’m sure my results wouldn’t have been so positive if it wasn’t for the support of my family,” she said.

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