March 26, 2024
A retired teacher for the past four years, Pennie Kliebert, 59 of Vacherie, La, is on her elliptical every week. You would never know that 13 years ago, she suffered from a widowmaker, a complete blockage in the largest artery of the heart.
“I was 46, in good health, married with three children,” she said. “I started having slight palpitations at my sons’ travel ball games. My husband is in the medical field and encouraged me to get it checked.”
After a visit to a general practitioner, she had bloodwork done, and learned she had a hyperactive thyroid, which she got medication for. But something else still seemed to be wrong. “It was a weird feeling because I never had pain,” she explained. “It was like a subtle tightness in my arm. I wouldn’t even notice it until nighttime since I was so busy with life, teaching, and the kids.” That’s when Pennie visited Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Thibodaux to see Dr. Sandeep Patel and get a baseline. He ran some basic tests, including bloodwork and a stress test. There was nothing of immediate concern. Shortly thereafter, Pennie was in her usual Zumba class. It was only the warmup when she passed out and 911 was called. “They thought I had a blood clot in my lung because my oxygen level was so low. They kept me for observation overnight and CIS was contacted.” From there, Dr. Patel recommended a nuclear stress test. During the test, Pennie did not feel well and could not go anymore. “I almost passed out. I told them I didn’t feel good. I hit the stop button.” Dr. Patel decided to do an angiogram, a type of cardiac catheterization where a cardiologist can see more clearly what is happening in the heart. Pennie agreed to move forward, though she still didn’t feel anything would come of it. “I was always exercising and doing things, so I expected everything to come out fine.”
But the angiogram actually did find the cause of Pennie’s ailments, a widowmaker. Her left main coronary artery was almost 100% blocked! She immediately went into the cath lab for an emergency coronary intervention by Dr. Patel. After five days in the hospital, Pennie participated in cardiac rehab for six weeks, and by the ninth week, she was back at work full-time!
Now, Pennie has had 13 more years of life to enjoy. She is so appreciative to have caught this when she did. “I was telling all of my friends that it was a sign from God to slow down and enjoy the little things in life,” she added.
Dr. Patel continues to see Pennie every six months to manage her condition. Their connection is clear when you see them together. “He’s like an older brother,” she smiled. “I have so much confidence in him.”
She is consistently impressed with the care and service that she has received at CIS in Thibodaux. “They are a well-oiled machine. CIS always works to accommodate me when I call. I am so thankful.”
Pennie’s original symptom of a subtle tightness in her arm is a classic sign of heart attack in women. It’s important to know that women’s heart disease symptoms may appear differently than men’s. Some common women’s symptoms include a pain in the neck, jaw or back, nausea, or fatigue. Click here to learn more about women-specific symptoms.