Robert Castellano
Robert knows a thing or two about a good beat. A drummer for most of his
life, he understands that a steady beat is the foundation to any good
song, and the same can be said for a healthy heart. Fifteen years ago,
Robert’s demanding career took its toll on his health when he suffered
a mild heart attack. After the heart scare, Robert knew he needed to make
some major changes to save his life. Less than three months after the
heart attack, he retired from his stressful job and moved north from the
chaotic streets of Los Angeles to the peaceful orchards of Tulare.
Last fall, 14 years after moving to Tulare, Robert’s elevated blood
pressure was making him worry so he made an appointment with Dr. Sarmad
Said, a cardiologist affiliated with Kaweah Delta. Robert passed heart
test after test but his blood pressure remained elevated. Thankfully,
he was in the expert hands of Dr. Said. “Dr. Said didn’t turn
away from me. He took the time to listen to me and scheduled me for an
angiogram to take a closer look.” Just as Dr. Said began the procedure,
Robert’s blood pressure dropped dangerously, revealing to Dr. Said
that an artery blockage was likely and heart surgery would be necessary.
In the end, Robert’s heart required quadruple bypass surgery performed
by Kaweah Delta-affiliated Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Leheb Araim.
Now on the road to a full recovery, Robert believes he was meant to move
to Tulare County to be treated by the compassionate team at Kaweah Delta.
“I really can’t convey the appreciation I have for Dr. Said,
Dr. Araim, and the hospital’s medical staff. It wasn’t just
a hospital experience. It was a people experience. I was always told by
music teachers that the drummer is the heartbeat of the band, and Kaweah
Delta’s goal was to give me the beat back. They revive and restore
lives, and I’m one of them. Those are the people who bring you back
to life.”
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