Kathleen de Leon

Not long ago, Kathleen de Leon’s smartwatch repeatedly alerted her that her heart rate was dangerously low, fluctuating between 28 and 37 beats per minute. Experts say that’s more than 20 beats too slow.

On her way home from the nail salon, Kathleen stopped at a CareNow where a quick heart rate check sent her to the emergency department. Kathleen was diagnosed with a complete heart block, a serious issue with the heart’s electrical system.

At Medical City Heart Hospital, she had a pacemaker implanted and has returned to her routine, including taking care of her beloved chihuahua Manu.

“I could not have had better care,” Kathleen said. “Just as they were about to put me under, I got scared. It finally hit me that I was in pretty bad shape, and I began to cry. A nurse held my hand and told me I was going to be OK.”