Pickleball Journey of Fire Chief: Ed Smith, a former Baton Rouge Fire Department chief, experienced a life-altering shift in 2018 when he was diagnosed with advanced heart failure. Facing severe health issues, including blockages in his heart arteries, Smith underwent surgery to receive a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
This innovative heart pump marked a turning point, allowing him to regain his vitality and return to his active lifestyle, including taking up pickleball. With a dedicated support system led by his wife, Smith’s story is a testament to resilience and recovery. On August 17, 2018, Smith’s life changed in an instant.
“On August 17, 2018, changed everything for me. I woke up that morning about 6:30, my wife had coffee, I walked in the kitchen, and when I got in there, I looked down and I couldn’t see my ankles or my feet, they were just swollen.” – (Smith)
His wife hurried him to the hospital, where the news was grim.
“About 45 minutes later, he came back in with a statement that has floored me to this day. He said, your liver is not functioning, your kidney is functioning at 10%, and your heart is functioning less than that. And how do you recover from that, how do you adjust to that.” – (Smith)
Diagnosed with advanced heart failure and blockages in all three major heart arteries, Smith faced a daunting recovery. After consulting with his medical team, Smith opted for a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a heart pump that he describes as life-changing.
“I don’t have a pulse. I have no pulse, my heart catches my blood and then the heart sends it out at 5600 RPMs.” – (Smith)
Dr. Sapna Desai, Smith’s physician and head of the advanced heart failure and transplant team at Ochsner, highlighted the prevalence of heart failure. “Heart failure is one of the highest admitting diagnoses in hospitals today.” Dr. Sapna Desai said.
Entry of Pickleball
Previously an avid sports enthusiast, Smith found his way back to physical activity through pickleball, encouraged by friends.
“It’s given us a focus and a purpose and it gets my cardio in for my exercise. I was very active prior to this. I mean, played golf, played basketball, played anything, so this gave me a great opportunity to get back into athletics, sports. I can get my exercise, have fun, and have friends around me, so it’s a win-win-win.” – (Smith)
Smith credits his remarkable recovery to his support system, particularly his wife. “But the greatest support was my wife… people don’t know the… what sacrifices, what we call a caregiver. Everyone that has one of these, you have to have a caregiver that’s with you. She has to know everything I know about the alarms and what to do.” Smith said.
News in Brief: Pickleball Journey of Fire Chief
Ed Smith, a retired fire chief, was diagnosed with advanced heart failure in 2018, leading to the implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The device dramatically improved his health, allowing him to reengage in sports like pickleball.
Smith’s journey from heart failure to athletic recovery shows the effectiveness of modern medical devices and the crucial role of a supportive caregiver, in this case, his wife. Smith’s return to physical activity highlights his resilience and the positive impact of the LVAD on his life.
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