My Dad Died of a Sudden Heart Attack. Proactive, Coordinated Care Could’ve Prevented It.

On a Thursday, my dad had a cardiologist appointment. That Sunday, he died of a “Widow Maker” heart attack, leaving my family shocked, devastated, and forever changed. 

When he had finally decided his symptoms were cause for concern and my mom’s gentle nudging wore him down, it took several months to get an appointment. The office was short-staffed and still backed up from delayed care during the height of COVID-19. Four years prior to this, he had four stents put in. His symptoms this time were similar to before the stents–fatigue and painful, tired legs–so much so that when I was home a month and a half before he died, he asked if my mom could drive instead of him, something I had not heard him do my whole life. 

My mom wasn’t with him at the cardiologist, so we don’t know how forthcoming he was about his symptoms, or if he downplayed them. The cardiologist did the tests he could do, scheduled him for follow-up tests with a different office, and told him unconcernedly, “I’ll see you next year.” 

He never made it to the follow up tests. 

Meeting Patients Where they are Means Being Proactive for Them

My dad wasn’t the most proactive patient. Diet changes? Minimal. Doctor’s appointments?  Required reminders. But he was active. He loved his garden, working at farmer’s markets, walking his dogs, and tackling endless home improvement projects. He didn't want a diagnosis that would take any of that away.

His patient records should have told the cardiologist’s office everything they needed to know. A family history of heart attack, stroke, and Alzheimer’s. High cholesterol since his twenties. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. A BMI outside the healthy range. And, most importantly, four stents just four years earlier! This wasn't a mystery.

A Chronic Care Management Program Would Have Helped

This information should have been a flashing red alert in his chart. His cardiologist’s office should have been reaching out proactively, checking in on his symptoms, managing his care.  Those conversations could have led to earlier intervention, more timely tests. At the very least, after that Thursday appointment, his doctor should have told him, “Given your history and these symptoms, you need to take it easy until we have more information.” Instead, he mowed the lawn that weekend.

I’m not blaming the cardiologist, but I am angry that the healthcare system is so bad at using patient data to improve clinical care that they were not proactive for my dad. I suspect his records weren’t synthesized effectively, making it difficult for his doctors to see the full picture without him explicitly stating everything.

Today, proactive models of care like Chronic Care Management (CCM) and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) are helping providers better understand what’s going on with their patients in between visits, and helping patients take a more proactive approach as well. My dad was afraid of succumbing to Alzheimer’s like his parents. He was afraid of needing bypass surgery.

If he had been enrolled in CCM with either his primary care doctor or his cardiologist, would it have eased his fears? Helped him feel more supported and able to take control of his health? I can’t help but think things would be different. 

Purpose in Promoting Better Healthcare

I have worked in healthcare marketing roles for over 15 years, including my current role at Rimidi, a digital health company that supports healthcare providers with managing chronic disease programs, including CCM and RPM. I’ve heard countless stories from our clients about how these programs have transformed lives – helping patients manage diabetes, preventing postpartum strokes, and so much more. 

I really do think reactive, outdated, fully in-clinic models of care failed my family. My dad’s death reinforced for me how important the work we do at Rimidi is, and strengthened my commitment to promoting a better way – a better healthcare system. 

I will continue to advocate for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand CCM and RPM through improved physician reimbursement, sustained quality incentives, and innovative primary care models.

We also need to address patient barriers. CMS and Congress must reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part B beneficiaries, especially for proactive chronic disease management. Providers can build patient trust by clearly explaining these programs, sharing real-world success stories, and addressing cost and data security concerns transparently. 

Increasing the adoption of virtual, proactive models of care delivery is a very important step towards improving chronic disease rates and outcomes in the US.