Heart for Hector

May 10, 2017, a special day for the Alvarado family.  It was my dad’s birthday, and I was so excited to spend the evening with family and taking Dad out to eat.  The excitement was just too much for this weak heart to handle.  This is Hector Cristian Alvarado and with his parents’ permission, this is his story.

March 31, 2017, Hector’s mom took him to the emergency room with cold/flu like symptoms.  While in the ER, a chest x-ray was done which revealed pneumonia, but also determined, to our dismay, that Hector also had an enlarged heart.  Hector was immediately admitted and further work up revealed more devastating news.  20 year old Hector had full blown congestive heart failure (CHF) with an ejection fraction of 20%, basically his heart is only functioning at 20%.  A normal heart functions at greater than 60%.  After a week in the hospital, Hector was sent home with a Life Vest.  He did well for about a month until that day, his dad’s birthday.  His mother, once again, had to take him to the ER with weakness and shortness of breath.  Hector was again readmitted with complications of CHF.  Two days into this stay, Hector suffered a stroke while eating breakfast with his mom at his bedside.  He was life-flighted to Memorial Herman in Houston where he is currently hospitalized.  After further evaluation, it has been discovered that he now has a large clot in his heart which is what is believed to have caused the stroke.  According to the cardiologist, this clot could remain in the heart for a period of months to years, which increase the possibility of yet another occurrence of a stroke. 

The cardiologist has come to the conclusion that Hector will ultimately need a heart transplant.  Other options will be considered, but ultimately, Hector will need a new heart.  Hector and his family have a long road ahead that will consist of an obstacle course of hospital visits, exams, lab work, hospital stays, and cardiac rehab, which may take years to accomplish. They want to continue to evaluate and care for him at Memorial Herman, but his family needs help to continue to provide for their family, as well as cover medical expenses.  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Prayers are greatly appreciated.  No amount is too small.  But most of all please keep the prayers coming! Thank you and God Bless.  We have faith that God will get us through this!