At 39, woman with healthy lifestyle needed heart transplant – she’s now spreading message of hope – NBC 6 South Florida

Case Report: A Patient’s Journey with Heart Failure and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Patient Background

This report details the case of Migdalia Rodriguez, a 39-year-old female resident of South Florida, who experienced acute congestive heart failure despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The case highlights critical intersections between individual health crises and broader public health objectives, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Initially presenting with severe symptoms including dyspnea, ambulatory difficulty, and rapid weight gain, Ms. Rodriguez was diagnosed with end-stage heart failure. This case underscores the challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), a primary target under SDG 3.

Medical Intervention and Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Upon admission to the Cleveland Clinic, medical evaluation revealed a severely compromised cardiac function of only 10%. This condition was linked to an undiagnosed cardiac issue from adolescence, demonstrating the importance of early detection and lifelong health monitoring to achieve SDG 3. The successful heart transplant procedure represents a significant achievement in tertiary healthcare, directly contributing to the SDG 3 target of reducing premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment.

• Diagnosis: Congestive heart failure.
• Cardiac Function: 10% prior to intervention.
• Intervention: Successful heart transplant following a two-month waitlist period.
• Outcome: Full recovery and return to physical activities, including 5K runs.

Advocacy, Health Promotion, and Community Engagement

Post-recovery, Ms. Rodriguez has become a public advocate for heart health, utilizing social media to share her experience and promote hope and awareness. This activity directly supports the promotion of health and well-being (SDG 3) by empowering individuals with information and fostering a supportive community for patients with life-threatening conditions. Her advocacy serves as a powerful tool for public health education, encouraging proactive health management and solidarity.

Healthcare Systems and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 10 & SDG 17)

The successful outcome of this case was contingent on a multi-faceted partnership, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This involved the patient, the healthcare provider (Cleveland Clinic), the organ donation network, and the anonymous donor family. Furthermore, the report notes that the Cleveland Clinic facilitates organ donor registration through accessible digital platforms like MyChart. This simplification of processes contributes to reducing inequalities (SDG 10) in healthcare access and participation.

1. Strengthening Health Systems: The case demonstrates the capacity of a robust healthcare system to provide complex, life-saving treatments like organ transplantation.
2. Promoting Accessible Technology: Digital tools for organ donor registration enhance public participation and streamline a critical component of the healthcare supply chain.
3. Fostering Public-Private-Civil Society Partnerships: The organ donation and transplantation process is a prime example of a partnership between medical institutions, public systems, and individual civic action to achieve health goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is the primary SDG addressed in the article. The entire narrative focuses on an individual’s health crisis (congestive heart failure), the healthcare interventions she received (heart transplant), and her subsequent advocacy for heart health and organ donation. The story touches upon physical health, access to advanced medical care, and the mental well-being of patients facing life-threatening conditions.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 3.4: Reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The article directly relates to this target by showcasing the treatment of a severe non-communicable disease (NCD), congestive heart failure. Migdalia Rodriguez’s successful heart transplant prevented her premature mortality. Furthermore, her advocacy work (“advocating for heart health and running 5Ks”) contributes to the prevention aspect. Her message on social media (“The main message I want to give is hope… you are not alone in the fear”) directly addresses the promotion of mental health and well-being for individuals diagnosed with life-threatening conditions.
2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
   • The article provides a case study on access to quality essential and specialized healthcare services. Migdalia received care at the Cleveland Clinic, where she was diagnosed, managed with medicines, placed on a transplant waitlist, and ultimately received a donor heart. This demonstrates a functioning healthcare system capable of providing complex and high-quality services, which is a core component of this target. The mention of organ donation systems further highlights the existence of advanced healthcare infrastructure.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Implied Indicator for Target 3.4: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease (related to official indicator 3.4.1).
   • The article does not provide statistics but presents a narrative of survival that directly counters this mortality indicator. The successful transplant that saved Migdalia’s life is a tangible example of an intervention that reduces the mortality rate from cardiovascular disease. Her advocacy aims to lower this rate in the future through awareness.
2. Implied Indicator for Target 3.8: Coverage of essential health services (related to official indicator 3.8.1).
   • The story implies the existence and accessibility of highly specialized health services. The ability for a patient to be diagnosed with 10% heart function, be placed on a waitlist, and receive a heart transplant within two months serves as a qualitative indicator of the coverage and capacity of essential health services within that system.
3. Implied Indicator: Public awareness and health advocacy.
   • While not an official UN indicator, the article highlights a crucial element for achieving health goals. Migdalia’s use of social media to share her story with millions (“shares her healing openly on social media, and millions are watching”) serves as an indicator of public health promotion and awareness campaigns, which are vital for the prevention and management of NCDs.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nbcmiami.com