MIAMI (WSVN) — As participants prepare for the upcoming Heart Walk, a South Florida man is speaking out about how the walk has already helped him.
Brett Goetz knew that his family had a history of heart problems. For the last 10 years, he’s been going to the cardiologist, something a lot of people his age probably don’t even think about.
Goetz watched his diet, exercised regularly and would get his blood checked. However, his family history led his doctor to recommend he go get a calcium heart score. "My test came back much higher than it should have been at my age," Goetz said.
With that information, doctors were eventually able to identify and treat a blockage problem. "Early identification of some heart disease in a patient who may have blockages can be a game changer," said Dr. Wayne Pollack of the Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute.
The early detection of Goetz’s condition has now prompted people he knows to check for their risks. "A lot of my peers and friends and people in my age bracket," he said. "After what’s going on with me, and thank God I’m OK now, but a lot of them now have gone to their cardiologists and have asked to take this calcium heart score."
Goetz is now a supporter of the American Heart Association and feels that everyone participating in the upcoming Heart Walk should get their hearts checked. "Everybody walking, do yourself a favor and go get help yourself," Goetz said. "Simply make an appointment with a cardiologist, get the right test and be on it. You’re walking for somebody you might have known that had a cardiac problem — you can be in their shoes one time."
The Heart Walk benefiting the American Heart Association is Saturday at Nova Southeastern University. The walk begins at 9 a.m., and 7’s own Vivian Gonzalez will emcee the event.
Channel 7 and Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute are co-sponsors of the annual Heart Walk.