Nacogdoches doctor explains heart attack detection device

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - The Guardian Device monitors the heart and can detect abnormal behavior, prompting high-risk heart attack patients to seek medical attention early.

78-year-old William Goodwin is the first Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital patient to receive the potentially lifesaving device.

“I had three stints put in, and then I had three more put in,” said Goodwin.

With a history of heart related illnesses, Dr. Vijaya Pokala said Goodwin was not a good candidate for open heart surgery, and with being a high-risk patient, there was a need for an alternative safety measure.

“When you have this device it will tell you, beep you, vibrate on your chest. They can be given early therapy because time is muscle in the heart,” said Pokala.

The device is implanted into the patient’s chest, and will vibrate when a problem is detected, along with an external pager telling you either to see a doctor or seek emergency help.

“Because I could sit on the couch or recliner and die watching tv instead of heading to the hospital because nothing warned me,” said Goodwin.

Goodwin has had the device for six months, and thankfully has only received alerts advising him to see a doctor so far.

Pokala said he has many patients that could benefit from the device and looks forward to offering them the same peace of mind offered to Goodwin.

“This device will help these people, and if it is rightly chosen, and rightly implemented,” said Pokala.

Pokala said the device is smaller than a defibrillator, but slightly larger than a pacemaker, and instead of offering treatment like the others, this device offers monitoring that can help address a heart attack before it occurs.

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