Cherish Each & Every Day

Since September 1999, 42-year-old Karen Koch suffered from chest pain that would come and go. With time her situation worsened. She noticed more symptoms that affected her strongly. Karen was used to exercising and eating healthy food, but suddenly she was exhausted walking from the parking lot to her office.

In February 2001, Karen sought medical attention and was diagnosed with severe heart failure, a condition that caused her father's death. Doctors were alarmed at her dramatically abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG) and immediately admitted her to a local hospital where she had an ultrasound and another EKG. Karen was transferred to the UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California USA, where she was subsequently placed at the top of the heart transplant list.

In spring 2003, Karen's doctors—worried about the risk of sudden cardiac arrest—told her she needed an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). She was scheduled to undergo an ICD implant after a vacation in Hawaii, but passed out in the plane. As a result, doctors in Hawaii implanted St. Jude Medical's Epic™+ ICD, the first ICD that suppresses atrial fibrillation (AF), a common co-morbidity with heart failure. This implant was necessary because Karen has a family history that includes AF. Her father had a stroke because of the disease.

Today Karen is feeling better. "I am relieved that my ICD watches over my heart 24 hours a day and I am happy that I no longer have to worry about having a sudden cardiac arrest." Thanks to St. Jude Medical technology, Karen resumed her daily routine within a month. Karen returned to her normal life and today enjoys her favorite hobbies, such as cooking, gardening, walking, reading, and watching movies. She shares moments with her family: her son Kenton, her daughter Kelly, and her husband Chris.

Karen credits her restored health to the talented people at St. Jude Medical who make products that can save and improve people's lives.

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