The Right Place at the Right Time - Tom Tangen’s Experience with Interventional Cardiology Care at NRMC
10/3/2024
A Saturday in June started out just like any other for Tom Tangen, who was in Kirksville visiting his mother. They started the morning by attending local yard sales; however, Tom’s day would soon turn into the unexpected.
“It started with heartburn and kept getting worse. I started to get dizzy and got some pain in my chest and arm,” said Tom. He quickly found himself in the emergency room at Northeast Regional Medical Center, where he met Larry Handlin, D.O., a member of the medical staff and a board-certified interventional cardiologist. “It was fate that I was in the right place at the right time with the right doctor.”
After several tests, Tom was told that he needed surgery. “Everything happened so fast; they got me in quickly, didn’t want me to have any more stress and really got to business.”
Dr. Handlin and his team performed a heart catheterization and placed a stent to re-establish blood flow to Tom’s heart, which had become blocked. The procedure was deemed successful. While Tom’s procedure is common, he wasn’t a typical presentation, and his diagnosis could have easily been missed. Annie Tate, R.N., director of the cardiology service line at Northeast Regional Medical Center states, “Our accreditations, training, and technology help to catch events like Tom’s early, minimizing poor outcomes.” Tom agrees, “We need more doctors like him, especially in smaller towns.”
Tom was amazed at the level of technology available at Northeast Regional Medical Center. “I was in and out in just six hours after having a heart stent and angioplasty; the technology is incredible and something unexpected in a small town like Kirksville.” Tom was even more impressed by the care he received during his visit, going on to say, “The nurses were so nice. The one thing I noticed more than anything was how they treated me like a friend and not just a patient. I can’t get over how nice the staff was, how they cared so much and were so friendly. Even the lady who brought my dinner was so nice, and everyone kept checking on me to make sure I was comfortable.” Tom said, “I would recommend this hospital to anyone because the staff was so wonderful and down to earth.”
Tom has been enjoying a smooth recovery. He completes his cardiac therapy three days a week in his home town and follows a heart-healthy diet. “Since the surgery, I have more energy and have lost more weight. I feel 20 years younger, like I got my life back.” Even though Tom lives over two hours away from Kirksville, he still chooses to make the drive to keep his follow-up appointments.
Tom is no stranger to hospitals and doctors. “I was an actor in the 90s, and the heavier I got the more I found I was cast in roles. Living this lifestyle over the years has taken a toll on my heart and my body.” Tom went on to mention, “I’ve been to other hospitals and doctors over the years, and nothing compares to Northeast Regional–they treat you like family.”
Northeast Regional Medical Center is Northeast Missouri's only accredited Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff that earnestly support the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes. Northeast Regional Medical Center provides cardiac catheterizations, diagnostic services, interventional services and cardiac rehabilitation therapy. To learn more about heart health or to find a doctor to help monitor your overall health, visit NERMC.com/cardiac-care.
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