When I was 18 years old, I called my mom with tears in my eyes. Something was wrong, but I had no idea what was happening. I drove straight to the hospital, where I was rushed into the emergency department with a heart rate of 220 beats per minute.

After two rounds of medication, my heart was finally stabilized. I soon learned that I had Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a condition I had never even heard of before that day. A few months later, I underwent a successful cardiac ablation. I was 18, I felt healthy again, and I thought that was the end of my cardiovascular journey.

Years later, my wife noticed something wasn’t right one morning. I kept repeating myself, and she immediately called an ambulance.

Once again, I found myself in a hospital—but this time, the answer wasn’t nearly as obvious.

What was initially thought to be a TIA ultimately led to the discovery of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Thanks to an incredible interventional radiologist who identified what was really happening, I was able to get the care I needed. I underwent surgery with an exceptional team at Texas Health Plano, and I have been fortunate to enjoy great health ever since.

Those experiences happened at very different points in my life, but both taught me something important: cardiovascular conditions don’t always announce themselves in ways we expect. Sometimes it’s a racing heart. Sometimes it’s something as subtle as repeating yourself to your wife.

I’m here today because people recognized that something wasn’t right and acted.

That’s why heart health and awareness matter to me, and why I'm happy to support an organization that saves lives. 

Help me reach my goal today!