• Cardiology Patient Stories

    Stroke at 36 Comes as Shock, Reveals Deeper Issues

Scott Gunderson with his familyScott Gunderson is a typical working father of three young children. His days typically are full of meetings, play dates, golf games and helping manage his busy family’s calendar. You likely wouldn't guess that the 38-year-old from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, is a stroke survivor and heart valve patient.

In 2013, Scott suffered a stroke that was a result of a blood clot created by a damaged heart valve. Thanks to the quick administration of the clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) and a new heart valve, he has been able to resume most of his previous activities.

The stroke also alerted Scott and his doctors at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire to the fact that he had endocarditis, an infection in the lining of the heart that led to his valve damage.

“I can’t say enough about the nurses and doctors that helped me out,” says Scott. “They never left the room without a question being answered or a need being met. They were always there.”

Watch the video below to see Scott's journey and his family’s appreciation for his care:



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