Cardiovascular Care That Comes from the Heart
Meet Chuck
For more than 40 years, Chuck has lived an active, healthy life – exercising three to five times a week, staying fit and rarely getting sick. He’s also a talented musician, someone who knows a thing or two about rhythm. But in recent years, it wasn’t his music that was offbeat. It was his heart.
Six years ago, during a routine visit with his primary care provider, Chuck’s doctor noticed something unusual – his heart rate was higher than it should be. An EKG confirmed an irregular rhythm, and he was sent to Summa Health System – Barberton Campus for further testing. There, he underwent his first cardiac ablation to correct atrial fibrillation (AFib) – a condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly. The procedure went smoothly, and Chuck recovered quickly.
That experience made Chuck more mindful about his heart health. As someone who values precision and timing, he began using his smartwatch to track his heart rate and set alerts for any sudden spikes.
In the spring of 2025, that decision paid off. When his watch notified him that his resting heart rate was between 148 and 152 beats per minute – far above normal – Chuck didn’t ignore it. He reached out to his doctor and was soon referred to Meet Patel, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist at Summa Health.
After evaluating Chuck, Dr. Patel recommended a second cardiac ablation to correct the irregular rhythm. The procedure was straightforward and, just like his first experience, remarkably smooth. “I had no pain at all – just a little discomfort in the groin area,” Chuck said. “I went home the same day.”
Chuck describes Dr. Patel as “very nice, thorough, professional and knowledgeable.” He was equally impressed by Dr. Patel’s physician assistant, Kristen McDonough, APRN – CNP, who took time to answer all his questions and made him feel completely at ease. “I can’t say enough about her,” he shared. “She made the whole experience comfortable.”
Chuck added that every single person he encountered at Summa – from the receptionist to the nurses and care team – was genuine, personal and friendly. Everyone introduced themselves, and he joked that there might be a quiz later to see if he could remember all their names. “I love all of them,” he said with a laugh, “but I hope I never see them again!”
Chuck credits Summa for fostering a culture of kindness that makes a world of difference to patients who might be nervous about being in the hospital. “That kind of care doesn’t cost a penny,” he said, “and Summa does it better than anyone.”
Today, Chuck’s heart is back in rhythm. Whether he’s playing a tune or working out, he’s back to enjoying life. Thanks to Dr. Patel and the Heart and Vascular team at Summa Health, Chuck has a new appreciation for the perfect beat – both on stage and in his heart.
Summa Health. All for the better.