I am participating with my family in the 2025 Heart Walk in memory of my father, Rick Maldeney.
Dad lived with Cardiomyopathy for 25 years but had few symptoms until 2011, when his strength and stamina declined, and he had to take an early retirement. In 2015, he weakened with Congestive Heart Failure to the point that a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) was the best option to prolong his life. He was implanted at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH) in October 2015 and slowly but surely regained strength and energy. He was a strong advocate of an ongoing Cardiac Rehab program to keep himself active and strong. In the years after he received his LVAD, he served as an LVAD Patient Ambassador at BJH, visiting with others who may be a candidate for an LVAD and sharing his story.
Unfortunately, Dad lost his battle with heart disease in 2018. But the life-saving technology supported by the efforts of the American Heart Association and the extraordinary care provided by the team at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Physicians were able to prolong his life for several years. This is a gift for which my family and I will be forever grateful.
The Heart Walk is a time of celebration, joy, and inspiration. It’s also an event where people work together to support one single goal—to create a world free of heart disease and stroke.
Thank you for supporting our team, in memory of Rick Maldeney.