Detecting Heart Failure Early: Dylan's Story and OU Health's Life-Saving Intervention

At 35, Dylan Lodes was the picture of an active, healthy Oklahoman. Living in the vibrant Paseo District of Oklahoma City, he spent his free time hiking, road biking, and enjoying the outdoors. Heart disease wasn't on his radar. It was something that happened to other people, older people. Until suddenly, it wasn't.

His journey with heart failure began subtly, with changes so gradual he barely noticed them at first. Looking back, the warning signs were there, scattered like breadcrumbs that would eventually lead to a life-changing diagnosis.

The seemingly healthy young man found himself battling heart failure, the rare viral myocarditis that affected both him and his sister simultaneously. The comprehensive care he received at OU Health that helped pull him from the deepest valley of his illness toward recovery serves as a reminder that heart disease can strike anyone, regardless of age or fitness level, and that recognizing the warning signs early can make all the difference.

The Mystery Begins

For nearly a year before his diagnosis, Dylan experienced puzzling changes in his health. He began gaining weight despite no changes in his diet. His energy levels dropped precipitously. Outdoor activities that once came easily now left him exhausted. As an outdoorsy person accustomed to leading the pack on hikes and bike rides, these changes were concerning but easy to rationalize away.

Like many young people facing unexplained health changes, Dylan's first instinct wasn't to rush to a doctor. He assumed he just needed to work out more or change his diet. He tried eating healthier and cutting carbs, but nothing seemed to help. The warning signs continued to accumulate.

The turning point came during a hiking trip to Colorado with friends. For someone who had always been at the front of the group, Dylan found himself struggling to keep up, lagging behind people he normally outpaced with ease. Even this significant decline in his physical capabilities didn't immediately trigger alarm bells about a potential heart condition.

"I'm usually in better shape than everyone," Dylan said. "I was trying to hike with my friends in Colorado, and I couldn't keep up with anyone."

The Crisis Point

As his symptoms became dramatically worse, Dylan realized something was seriously wrong. Simple tasks like walking to the bathroom at night became dangerous ordeals. His breathing grew labored, and extreme fatigue overtook him. Initially suspecting COVID-19, Dylan finally reached a breaking point when his symptoms became unbearable.

"I'd walk to my bathroom at night, and I would almost pass out, fall, hit the wall and kind of catch myself," he said. "That's when I was like, 'Okay, red flag. I need to go to the doctor.'"

The severity finally prompted him to visit an urgent care clinic, where the medical team immediately recognized the gravity of his condition. What happened next caught him completely off guard. They called an ambulance on the spot, and Dylan was rushed to OU Health.

The Diagnosis: A Family Connection

At OU Health, Dylan received shocking news: he was experiencing heart failure at just 35 years old. The diagnosis was difficult to process. Heart failure was something that happened to older people with chronic conditions, not active 30-somethings who hiked and biked regularly.

But Dylan's story took another unexpected turn when his diagnosis prompted his sister to get tested. Despite showing fewer outward symptoms, she discovered she had the same condition. This unusual coincidence would provide valuable insights for his medical team.

OU Health cardiologist Dr. Tarun Watson Dasari, M.D., MPH, FACC, professor in the Section of Cardiovascular Diseases at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and director of heart failure program at OU Health, identified this rare family connection as a critical piece of the diagnostic puzzle. Both siblings had experienced what seemed like an ordinary viral illness with fever, congestion, and cough, but their bodies had reacted in an extraordinary way.

"Both of them developed the flu-like illness at the same time," Dr. Dasari said. "After a week or two, they started developing heart failure symptoms. What happens is, as the body is trying to attack the virus, sometimes antibodies start attacking your own heart, and you get inflammation of the heart called myocarditis. We see it in individual patients, but to see it in siblings at the same time was quite unique."

The siblings' conditions progressed differently despite the same underlying cause. While Dylan's sister could still maintain some normal activities, Dylan's condition had deteriorated to the point where even the simplest tasks became overwhelming.

"Her numbers were as bad as mine for a little bit, but she could still go to the gym while I couldn't walk to my car without thinking I ran a marathon," Dylan said.

Treatment at OU Health

Dylan spent approximately two weeks at OU Health, where he received comprehensive care to stabilize his condition. The medical team worked to assess the extent of his heart damage and develop a treatment plan tailored to his needs. What began as a terrifying medical emergency gradually transformed into a path toward recovery under the guidance of OU Health's cardiac specialists.

After discharge, Dylan began regular appointments with Dr. Dasari at OU Health,, starting a regimen of medications to manage his heart condition. The road to recovery proved challenging, with unexpected complications that further tested his resilience. One of the most difficult aspects wasn't the heart condition itself, but a severe, full body itching sensation that made sleep nearly impossible for months.

"My whole body was itching and felt like it was covered in needles," Dylan said. "After two months of not sleeping, I was getting really delirious. I was going on a week with no sleep, and it was kind of getting to me. I think that was why my body started to fail more than anything."

The medical team initially suspected an allergic reaction to his heart medications but couldn't discontinue them due to their importance for his cardiac health. Eventually, they prescribed sleep medication that helped break the cycle. Within just a week of restful sleep, Dylan noticed dramatic improvements in his overall condition, demonstrating the interconnected nature of the body's systems.

Dr. Dasari emphasizes that medication compliance is crucial for patients with heart failure, noting that Dylan's commitment to his treatment plan has been exemplary.

"These pills are powerful. If you take all of them, there is a 60% to 70% chance that your heart pumping will completely normalize," Dr. Dasari said. "But there are many patients who, despite getting heart failure, don't stick to the regimen we give them."

Several months after his initial hospitalization, Dylan received a defibrillator implant as part of his ongoing treatment, further protecting him from potential complications of his heart condition.

The Road to Recovery: A Journey of Hope

Understanding the trajectory of heart failure recovery helps put Dylan's journey in perspective. Dr. Dasari describes this process using a vivid metaphor that illustrates both the severity of the condition and the path forward for patients.

"It's kind of like a mountain with a valley," Dr. Dasari said. "Patients are initially at the top of the mountain, they develop heart failure, and then they slide and go deep into the valley because of all the problems hitting them at the same time. We're trying to pull them out of that valley, get them back onto what we call a plateau phase, where they get stable and can remain there for sometimes months, sometimes years, sometimes decades."

For Dylan, climbing out of that valley has been a gradual process filled with small victories. As a roofer by trade, regaining the ability to work represents a significant milestone in his recovery journey. He's now able to perform his job again, though he still faces limitations that remind him of how far he has yet to go.

A Message for Others

Dylan's experience serves as a powerful reminder that heart disease doesn't discriminate by age or fitness level. His story challenges the common misconception that heart problems only affect older adults or those with obvious risk factors.

His advice to others comes from a place of hard-won wisdom. Reflecting on his journey, Dylan emphasizes the importance of early detection, even for those who feel invincible.

"They think my heart disease was from a virus, so it can happen to anyone at any time," Dylan said. "My whole family, even my 18-year-old nephew, is getting checked up now. I would recommend everyone do it. I know it's annoying going to the doctor, but it can save your life. Catch it early and you can actually prevent it."

Dr. Dasari reinforces this message from a medical perspective, highlighting the key symptoms that should prompt a visit to the doctor.

"The most common symptoms are difficulty breathing, having exercise intolerance due to breathing difficulties, and swelling of the legs," Dr. Dasari said. "See your primary care doctor so they can run an X-ray, a blood test, and an ultrasound of the heart. These three tests can give you a diagnosis and then they can refer you to a heart specialist who can take it from there."

Supporting Heart Patients at OU Health

For those facing a heart failure diagnosis, financial concerns about expensive medications shouldn't prevent proper treatment. OU Health offers resources to help patients overcome these barriers.

"We have specialized assistance programs through pharmacy where we can help patients bridge the gap with their finances if they're unable to afford these medications," Dr. Dasari said. "Let that not be a hindrance to medical therapy."

Dylan's journey continues as he works toward regaining his active lifestyle. He currently takes daily 30-minute walks, a modest but significant step toward recovery for someone who once couldn't make it to his bathroom without nearly collapsing. These walks, often accompanied by audiobooks to make the time pass more enjoyably, represent his determination to reclaim his health.

Throughout his treatment, Dylan has maintained a deep appreciation for the care he received at OU Health.

"The care was phenomenal," he said. "I couldn't ask for better. The nurses and everyone who helped me while I was at the hospital were, without question, the best."

Dylan’s journey is a powerful reminder that recognizing symptoms early and seeking appropriate care can make all the difference in treatment outcomes. Thanks to the specialized care at OU Health and his own determination, Dylan is gradually climbing back up from the valley of heart failure, one heartbeat at a time.