A Heartfelt Wake-Up Call: How a Trip to Italy Uncovered a Hidden Heart Condition

PIH Health cardiology patient Frank Renek and Robin, his wife.

Now fully recovered, Frank praises his experience at PIH Health. “I’m lucky I didn’t have a heart attack in Italy,” said Frank. His journey serves as a reminder of the importance of paying attention to one’s health, especially as we age.

In October 2023, Frank Renek embarked on a dream trip to Italy with his wife to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary alongside close friends. The journey took them to the stunning Amalfi Coast, where Frank, 80, initially attributed his shortness of breath to the steep terrain and his age. “I didn’t think much of it at the time. I just assumed the hills and the walking were making me tired,” he explained.

The trip included visits to Matera and the beaches of Torre Canne in Fasano, where Frank continued to push through his breathlessness, assuming it wasn’t serious. “I had to stop several times to rest,” he noted, but he didn’t think it warranted medical attention. However, after returning home, Frank sought medical advice when his shortness of breath persisted. He was worried it might be a pulmonary problem.

When I hear shortness of breath, I think heart, not lungs,” said Kevin Huang MD, a PIH Health internist and Frank’s primary care doctor. Dr. Huang referred Frank to PIH Health Cardiologist Gerald Beckham MD. Dr. Beckham performed a stress test followed by an angiogram that revealed severe blockages in Frank’s arteries—one at 100% and others at between 80-90%— despite him never having a heart attack. These alarming results led to an immediate recommendation for surgery.

Frank was admitted to PIH Health Whittier Hospital, where he underwent a quadruple coronary bypass under the care of PIH Health Cardiothoracic Surgeon Eduardo Tovar MD. “We’ll take care of the blockages and get you back on your feet,” Dr. Tovar reassured him before the procedure. The surgery was a success, and Frank woke up grateful for the exceptional care he received. “Dr. Beckham, Dr. Tovar, and the entire cardiac staff are just amazing,” he said.

Now fully recovered, Frank praises his experience at PIH Health. “I’m lucky I didn’t have a heart attack in Italy,” said Frank. His journey serves as a reminder of the importance of paying attention to one’s health, especially as we age.

For more information on heart services, go to PIHHealth.org/HeartCare