Kaiser Permanente volunteer credits his fellow volunteers and care team for saving his life following a heart attack.
For years, volunteering by playing the piano to soothe members and patients at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center was David Wilson’s way of giving back. A lifelong musician who also plays the violin, he knows how music can settle nerves, create connection and make a hard day a little lighter.
“Music has a way of steadying people; I see it in their faces when they walk in,” Wilson said. “Playing here is my way of caring for others.”
Things changed during one of his regular shifts when Wilson became the one in need of support. A sudden wave of nausea hit him, and he decided he wanted to go home to rest. If it weren’t for Ann Kimball, supervisor of operations at the hospital’s Volunteer Services Department, he might have done exactly that, a decision that could have had life‑altering consequences.
“Something just wasn’t right,” Kimball said. “David didn’t look like himself, and I knew help was close by in our Emergency Department.”
Trusting her instinct, Kimball accompanied Wilson to the Emergency Department, where tests revealed a startling diagnosis: He was in the middle of a massive heart attack.
“I was shocked,” Wilson recalled. “I didn’t feel like I was having a heart attack, and if the team hadn’t stepped in, I would have ignored the symptoms.”
February is American Heart Month. About 1 in 5 heart attacks are “silent,” meaning people do not realize they are happening, just like Wilson did. Pair that with the fact that someone in the United States experiences a heart attack every 40 seconds, and it becomes clear that an awareness of cardiac symptoms is vital for everyone.
Dr. Raymond Chen, head of Cardiac Surgery at Los Angeles Medical Center who oversees Wilson’s care team, says awareness and speed matter. The hospital serves Kaiser Permanente members in the Pasadena area.
“Recognizing symptoms and seeking care right away can make a real difference in outcomes,” says Dr. Chen said. “Not all heart attack symptoms are dramatic, so knowing the full range of possible symptoms is key to protecting your health.”
Along with chest discomfort, people may experience shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, unusual fatigue, or pain in the back, neck, jaw or arms, all of which could indicate a serious cardiac event, Dr. Chen explained. Symptoms can be subtle and vary by person, and women are more likely to report some of these less typical signs.
For Wilson, early intervention was lifesaving. Dr. Chen’s team performed a triple bypass surgery, a procedure they were well equipped to perform. Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center performs more bypass surgeries annually than any other hospital in California.
Additionally, the hospital consistently earns top performance ratings, including a Consumer Reports recognition of its cardiac surgery program being among the best in the western United States.
“The team was there for me through everything, from the heart attack to my recovery,” says Wilson said. “From when Ann wheeled me up to the Emergency Department to when I got the all clear, I really felt like I was in the best hands.”
Wilson is now glad to be back to an active life, including biking to his volunteer shifts, enjoying tennis and taking his place at the lobby piano. “Having David back with the team is a huge win for our community,” said Kimball. “Volunteer services’ goal is to make the medical center as welcoming and supportive as possible, and his music brings that to life for our members and staff.”
Today, Wilson’s music is even more meaningful as he plays the piano for the team that saved his life and so many others like him. “Music is everything, and to be able to share that passion with the people who were there for me when I needed them, it’s an honor,” he said.
Wilson’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of early intervention and health education. To learn more about ways to protect your heart, visit Kaiser Permanente’s cardiac services page for information on prevention, care and recovery.
