Abdelrahman
A father from New York City, who faced a life-threatening heart failure episode, is sharing his inspiring survival story after undergoing a successful heart transplant. He urges men to prioritize their health and consult a doctor immediately if they notice any unusual symptoms, stating, “Life is too valuable to ignore warning signs.”
Andre Rodrigues, a 40-year-old fitness enthusiast and school principal passionate about CrossFit, was enjoying his summer vacation when his health suddenly deteriorated.
While visiting his home country of Portugal in August 2023, the father of two began to experience concerning flu-like symptoms he had never encountered before.
“I felt incredibly unwell — I had a violent cough that was painful,” Rodrigues, now 42, recounted in an interview with The Post.
Rodrigues, standing at five-foot-11 and weighing 175 pounds, embodied peak health as a clean eater and home rowing enthusiast. However, as months passed without relief, he felt increasingly drained.
“It was astonishing — there were no signs before it happened,” he shared. “It hit hard and fast.”
Desperate for answers, he consulted with six different doctors to get to the root of his condition.
Despite being prescribed various antibiotics and nasal sprays for a suspected pneumonia and upper respiratory infection, his symptoms persisted.
His physical condition worsened dramatically, as he ballooned to 190 pounds due to fluid retention.
“What I noticed was completely unusual,” Rodrigues remarked, expressing concern about his swollen ankles, which led him to suspect a heart issue.
After two months of puzzling symptoms, including relentless shortness of breath and fatigue, he rushed to Mount Sinai’s emergency room, where he spent 12 days under care.
Rather than a viral infection, he was diagnosed with severe heart failure.
Doctors identified his condition as myocarditis, increasingly recognized among young men and potentially linked to the COVID vaccine, which triggered his heart issues.
“The cause of the myocarditis remains undetermined,” he stated.
Since there was no family history of heart issues, and “genetic tests cleared me of any concerns,” the devoted dad felt relieved he wasn’t passing this condition onto his children, who are aged 9 and 11.
His heart was functioning at a mere 10% capacity.
“They called it end-stage heart failure,” he said, noting that a healthy heart typically operates at 50% or higher.
Under the guidance of Dr. Anuradha Lala at Mount Sinai, Rodrigues began an array of medications aimed at enhancing heart function and slowing the decline of his heart’s health.
Although genetic testing revealed “no underlying genetic factors,” Dr. Lala emphasized the importance of recognizing symptoms, advocating for timely medical help, and becoming attuned to one’s body.
“Trust and building a connection with patients is vital, particularly for younger individuals who may be reluctant to face health concerns,” Dr. Lala noted, a specialist in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology.
Despite rigorous monitoring, including regular blood tests and treatments, Rodrigues’ condition did not improve. Other organs like his kidneys and liver were also suffering from the lack of oxygenated blood.
His motivation to survive for his children’s future kept him going. “I wanted to play soccer with them and run around; they were my greatest inspiration throughout this challenging time,” he expressed.
However, by fall 2024, he needed to make a critical decision.
“My heart couldn’t recover, and I was placed on the transplant list” during his stay in Mount Sinai’s ICU, where an impella device aided his left ventricle’s pumping ability.
Guided by a dedicated healthcare team, including cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Anelechi Anyanwu, Rodrigues received a compatible heart and successfully underwent an eight-hour transplant surgery in late October.
Back at his Museum School in Chelsea, Manhattan, staff and students showered him with hundreds of supportive emails and letters as he faced his fears and placed his trust in his medical team.
Though he is unaware of much about his organ donor, he expresses immense gratitude for the “gift” of life he received.
By early January, Rodrigues eagerly returned to his beloved school, greeted by staff and students lining the hallways to welcome him back.
“It’s a remarkable community filled with empathy towards one another and me,” he said of the heartfelt reunion.
Looking ahead, Rodrigues acknowledges that while his life will be different, it remains filled with potential and beauty.
CrossFit will still play a role in his future activities.
“The journey continues, but it is manageable compared to what I’ve faced,” Dr. Lala advised, encouraging individuals not to overlook troubling symptoms. “Our goal is not to induce fear but to raise awareness about concerning health signals that warrant serious attention.”
Rodrigues’ heartfelt message to others is to seek medical advice when something feels off.
“This is your life. It’s essential to act when health issues arise. Even when the diagnosis is frightening, have faith in medical professionals and approach it with courage.”
“Maintain a positive mindset, trust your healthcare providers, and advocate diligently for your health.”
