Category: Heart Disease

From flu symptoms to heart failure: A New York teen’s harrowing heart transplant tale

The terrifying question seemingly stopped time as nurses and doctors tried to save 15-year-old Zachary Losee, whose heart had suddenly failed after coming down with flu-like symptoms.

It turned out to be just the beginning of a four-month medical odyssey from that harrowing moment at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester to Losee’s heart-transplant recovery at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla.

Zach also described plans to become a cardiologist and get involved in organ donor advocacy, having been inspired by Lauren Shields, a Rockland County transplant recipient turned pre-med student.

“All her stories just impacted me…just like me she had viral myocarditis and had to relearn everything,” Zach said.

Rod Carew passes 1-month mark since heart transplant

Rod Carew tells the American Heart Association News he’s “doing great” since the 13-hour heart transplant operation on Dec. 16. He’s spent the last week in a rehabilitation center and expects to return home soon. Rod Carew- a seven-time American League batting champion and first-ballot selection to the Hall of Fame.

Carew says he wants to remind people to get their hearts checked. His donor was a 29-year-old man.