Karen Behling-Harkins’ Story

I put my heart care in good hands!

Nurses know where and when to seek medical care. Karen Behling-Harkins, who is a retired nurse, went to the Emergency Department (ED) at Penn Highlands Mon Valley when she just didn’t feel right. Her sugar was “way out of control” and she was experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis. The New Eagle resident had some discomfort in her chest but did not think it was cause for alarm. While in the ED, the medical team recognized that she was having a heart attack and immediately sent her to the hospital’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab where Dr. Adil Waheed, an interventional cardiologist, used stents to reopen her arteries. One artery was completely blocked. While Dr. Waheed was reopening the arteries, Karen went into cardiac arrest three times and they had to use the defibrillator to get her heart back into a regular rhythm.

“Everyone was fantastic. They actually explained everything that was happening. I knew I was in good hands,” said Karen. “I was greatly impressed because they were on top of everything. Everyone was patient-focused and provided care to me with a holistic approach.”