At the age of 71, Larry Coate became concerned when he began to feel pain and discomfort in his chest. He paid a visit to Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue and was soon under the care of cardiologist, Dr. Ronnier Aviles, M.D.
“I was experiencing pain in my chest while simply walking up a hill,” Coate said, a Bellevue resident. “I knew something wasn’t right and thought I should get it checked out.”
Coate first underwent a cardiac stress test commonly referred to as a Treadmill EKG Test. The stress test revealed there was a possible blockage of the arteries in Coate’s heart. He was then treated by Dr. Aviles, who performed an angiogram. An angiogram is an imaging test that uses x-rays to view the body’s blood vessels. Physicians often use this test to study narrow or blocked arteries in the heart.
The test showed a 90 percent blockage in one Coate’s arteries. Dr. Aviles performed a minimal procedure, placing two stints in the artery to restore normal blood flow to the rest of Coate’s body.
“You know you have a problem when you begin to feel symptoms related to Angina,” Coate said, post surgery. “I view it as a blessing because I was able to come in prior to having a heart attack.”
The stint procedure was fairly brief. Coate was in and out of the procedure room in an hour and a half and was able to check out of Overlake the following day.
“Being in cardiology affords a lot of interesting opportunity to work with technology,” Dr. Aviles explained. “Medicine is an ever changing field that renews itself every few years.”
When Dr. Aviles started medical training, the thought of replacing a valve that was damaged in some way through a non-surgical approach was really nonexistent, he said.
“The standard care was to do open-heart surgery to replace a valve. Now we are researching clinical trials that are looking at replacing a valve through a small catheter through the growing without doing any open heart surgery. It’s incredible.”
Coate was instructed by Dr. Aviles to take medication to prevent the future build-up of plaque in the arteries in his heart and was counseled on eating a healthier diet and creating a sustainable exercise plan.
“The best part of my job is connecting with patients and forming long term relationships,” Dr. Aviles said. “I like to motivate them to make changes that are going to improve their health.”
In 2006, Overlake was ranked as one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals for Cardiovascular Care by Thomson, and in 2007, Overlake was named a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac CareSM by Premera Blue Cross.
Coate was pleasantly surprised by the patient care he received while at Overlake.
“Dr. Aviles is a very unusual doctor in my opinion. He’s very warm, yet very professional. I felt very reassured being under his care,” Coate’s explained. “There are a lot of doctors who are proficient in their care and their medicine, but Dr. Aviles went above and beyond.”
Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425-453-4602.
Fashions From the Heart event
The Roger Stark Cardiac and Stroke Auxiliary at Overlake Hospital
Medical Center is hosting their second annual Fashions from the Heart fashion show and luncheon on Wednesday, February 24 at 11:30 a.m. at the Overlake Golf & Country Club, 8000 NE 16th Street, Medina.
Fun new spring fashions from Newport House will be modeled by Auxiliary members.
Proceeds from the event will support the new $1.7 million Cardiovascular Information System that will help Overlake improve patient care quality, safety and the overall cardiac patient experience.
For tickets, contact 425-688-5526 or Auxilians@overlakehospital.org.
