{"id":79966,"date":"2025-01-21T09:12:13","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T16:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=79966"},"modified":"2025-02-14T09:56:42","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T16:56:42","slug":"mortician-confronts-his-own-mortality-how-his-actions-strengthened-his-heart-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/mortician-confronts-his-own-mortality-how-his-actions-strengthened-his-heart-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Mortician confronts his own mortality: How his actions strengthened his heart health"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>
\"As
As a mortician, Derringer Martinez supports people as they deal with heartbreaking losses every day. He didn’t expect to confront his own mortality until his own heart sent him signals that he needed help. Photo by Ryan Severance, UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Derringer Martinez is no stranger to death but wasn\u2019t expecting his own close call earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Martinez is the general manager at Imperial Memorial Gardens Funeral, Cremation and Cemetery<\/a> in Pueblo. Now 57, he had spent his career working in the funeral industry.<\/p>\n

Growing up in Denver, Martinez worked as a death certificate runner and performed other clerical duties in a local funeral home after high school. Because of his aptitude for working with people, a co-worker recommended mortuary school. After attending the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, he dedicated his life to serving families of the deceased, working in Arizona before recently moving back to Colorado.<\/p>\n

Martinez understands well how grief impacts survivors. It highlights the power of connections shared with loved ones during life.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrief is part of that proof, the pain we feel when we can no longer give our love to the people attached to our lives. It is a pain that can affect our identity mentally, and the physical manifestations of that pain are real and observable,\u201d Martinez said.<\/p>\n

Confronting his own mortality after troubling symptoms of a heart attack<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Yet, for all his experience with life and death, Martinez wasn\u2019t considering his own mortality until his heart kept sending hints he could no longer ignore.<\/p>\n

Back in May, in the days leading up to Memorial Weekend, Martinez began noticing chest discomfort and increased fatigue. He found himself needing to sit to collect his breath after walking at a grocery store. As tired as he was, he couldn\u2019t sleep that night.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was the point at which I thought, \u2018I better go get this checked out.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, Martinez went to work for a meeting the next day because he wanted to wrap things up before the weekend. After the meeting, he asked his wife to drive him to the ER at UCHealth Parkview Medical Center<\/a> in Pueblo.<\/p>\n

There, Martinez\u2019 EKG did not show classic signs of heart attack, but his cardiac enzymes and cholesterol were elevated. Because of his symptoms and test results, Dr. Fadi Alattar<\/a>, the on-call cardiologist, was concerned Martinez was, indeed, having a heart attack. A bedside ultrasound showed what\u2019s called a \u201creduced ejection fraction,\u201d meaning that Martinez\u2019 heart was struggling to pump enough blood throughout his body.<\/p>\n

Alattar took Martinez straight to the cardiac catheterization lab and discovered two blockages in his heart, including an 80% blockage of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), the predominant path that supplies blood to the left ventricle, the heart chamber that pumps blood out of the heart. The LAD is called \u201cthe widow-maker\u201d because blockages there often are deadly. Alattar inserted two cardiac stents and prescribed several medications, including a statin to lower his cholesterol.<\/p>\n

Martinez had a high LDL cholesterol level of 177. High levels of LDL are associated with risk of heart disease. In some cases, people have a genetic predisposition for having high cholesterol.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can have a high LDL cholesterol that does not respond to diet alone,\u201d Alattar said.<\/p>\n

\u2018Time is muscle:\u2019 Seeking care immediately is vital if people have chest pain or other heart attack symptoms<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most people can reduce their LDL by eating healthier diets, exercising regularly and taking necessary medications. Alattar emphasizes that even with medication, some people still will have a 25-30% residual risk of heart attack, which highlights the importance of a patient\u2019s lifestyle.<\/p>\n

Most patients with high cholesterol do not have symptoms until they have a heart attack<\/a> or stroke. People experiencing a heart attack can also experience radiating pain to the jaw, back, or arm. Women may present with different symptoms<\/a> such as abdominal pain or dizziness without chest pain. Older patients may only have shortness of breath. When chest pain commences from a heart attack, patients need to seek care immediately because lack of blood flow to the heart can permanently damage cardiac muscle within three hours of symptom onset.<\/p>\n

\u201cTime is muscle,\u201d Alattar said.<\/p>\n

\"Derringer
Derringer Martinez has worked hard all of his life. Now, he’s also prioritizing exercise. He enjoys running and hiking on trails at Pueblo Reservoir. Photo by Ryan Severance, UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While some patients hesitate to seek help if they\u2019re unsure they\u2019re experiencing a real heart attack, it\u2019s better to see a doctor and get checked out. People who are experiencing chest pain always will be evaluated quickly when they arrive at an ER, and Alattar said the sensitivity of the tests and the speed with which doctors can intervene keep improving, so cardiologists\u2019 ability to save lives has never been greater.<\/p>\n

Prior to his hospitalization, Martinez was not on medication but had risk factors for cardiac disease. He had been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, sleep apnea and high cholesterol. At 5 feet 11 inches, his weight had been as high as 280 lbs. Other risk factors include high blood pressure and chronically high levels of stress.<\/p>\n

Martinez didn\u2019t worry much about his weight because he had always been able to drop pounds easily in the past, but he realized he wasn\u2019t keeping his portion sizes in check and was drinking too much, which can affect health<\/a> and cause weight gain. Still, he never thought he was at risk for a heart attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cMentally, you’re still where you last were when you had to do something about it,\u201d Martinez said.<\/p>\n

Recovering from his close call: Intermittent fasting, a healthier diet, less alcohol and weight-lifting helps strengthen his heart health<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Since his hospitalization, Martinez has incorporated intermittent fasting, meaning he restricts the hours when he eats to reduce his calorie intake. He also drinks less, and has been more conscientious about his food choices and quantities. Fortunately, within months of his hospitalization, Martinez\u2019 heart function has recovered. With his improved heart health, Martinez is focusing on new exercise habits too.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started to look at strength training more like something that just needs to be a part of my daily life, not something I do when I want to get in better shape or want to trim down or bulk up\u2026understanding that this has to be a part of daily life, just like eating and sleeping.\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In addition to staying physically active, eating nutritious food is essential to prevent heart attacks or to recover from one. Many patients focus on eating a more plant-based diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. It\u2019s also vital to limit refined sugars and eat less red meat.<\/p>\n

While maintaining dietary changes can be a challenge for patients, the results speak for themselves, Alattar said. He\u2019s had patients who have shifted to a more whole-food, plant-based diet and have lost weight and completely transformed their health. But it isn\u2019t just about weight or calories, Alattar said. Highly processed foods<\/a> can have harmful effects that don\u2019t always show up on the scales.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about function. Many of these additives can damage the function of a normally inert cholesterol and turn it into a more toxic one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Alattar acknowledges that it\u2019s tough for some people to eat healthier diets and exercise regularly. For some, converting to a strictly plant-based diet may seem like climbing Mt. Everest<\/a>. He encourages his patients to take other steps towards a healthier lifestyle. These may include adapting a Mediterranean diet (which can include meat) or intermittent fasting. He also recognizes that these decisions don\u2019t happen in a bubble.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople don’t live in isolation. They’re going to be invited to Thanksgiving dinner. They’re going to travel. They’re going to be on the road. It’s hard. It’s life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Some patients might try to substitute supplements to compensate for inadequate nutrition in their food. But some supplements contain doses of vitamins and minerals that can harm people. For example, studies show calcium supplements<\/a> may increase the risk of risk of heart attacks because they can lead to excess calcium deposition in blood vessels, Alattar said. Even for supplements that have beneficial vitamins, most people end up excreting the majority because of our bodies can\u2019t absorb the high doses.<\/p>\n

\"Derringer
Derringer Martinez views his doctors as his “saviors.” Thanks to them, he has a new lease on life and loves spending time outdoors, enjoying activities like hiking that help boost his heart health, Photo by Ryan Severance, UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Others might try to eliminate all carbohydrates to lose weight. Alattar points out that processed carbohydrates are most problematic. For example, refined sugars are much more harmful than naturally occurring carbohydrates found in whole grains and fruits, which also include other beneficial nutrients. He warns his patients to avoid diets that focus excessively on high protein, which can have negative effects on heart health as well.<\/p>\n

Making healthy progress and prioritizing self care<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While Martinez would have gladly avoided his heart attack, he\u2019s grateful for the help he received. He said the Parkview staff were responsive, listened to his concerns, communicated clearly and considered his priorities. They even helped him stay busy during his recovery.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had no idea how incredibly bored I’d be. Fortunately, somebody brought my computer to me and I was able to get a little work done,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Martinez is making good progress in his recovery and plans to get back to elk hunting, golf and enjoying time with his family. The experience has also taught him to prioritize taking care of himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have now been reminded that one must take care of their own health to be able to take care of others. It\u2019s like putting your oxygen mask on first in a flight emergency,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Being more consistent with workouts and healthy eating habits, Martinez has been able to continue his meaningful work at the funeral home, which, for him, is about meeting people where they are at. As a Catholic, he is regularly reminded of the preciousness of life and the influence we have on others.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not enough to simply live and let live\u2026we owe it to God and ourselves to expend efforts towards bringing comfort to others. One’s life must be dedicated to improving your neighbor’s life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s what Martinez\u2019 doctor did for him.<\/p>\n

In Arabic, Fadi means “the savior,\u201d a name Arab Christians give to Jesus.<\/p>\n

Martinez is incredibly thankful that Alattar lived up to his name and saved his patient\u2019s life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Derringer Martinez is no stranger to death but wasn\u2019t expecting his own close call earlier this year. Martinez is the general manager at Imperial Memorial Gardens Funeral, Cremation and Cemetery in Pueblo. Now 57, he had spent his career working in the funeral industry. Growing up in Denver, Martinez worked as a death certificate runner […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2411,"featured_media":79983,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[708,3512,8763,128,457,9201],"class_list":["post-79966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories","tag-adults-65-plus","tag-heart-and-vascular-care-cardiovascular","tag-heart-attack-care","tag-heart-health","tag-mens-health","tag-pueblo"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMortician confronts his own mortality: How actions strengthened his heart health - UCHealth Today<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Martinez's heart warned him something was wrong. 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