Coming Back from Lupus and Heart Failure — Antwan's Story

"I had high blood pressure, which I attempted to control with home remedies. When I developed a cough, I assumed it was nicotine usage catching up with me, so I visited my primary care doctor. He told me I needed to stop smoking, diagnosed me with bronchitis and prescribed medication for my conditions."

From Breathlessness to Health Crisis

Unfortunately, Antwan Yate’s conditions didn’t improve — he grew worse.

At first, it was subtle. He noticed he was short of breath walking up the stairs. Instead of sounding the alarm, Antwan brushed it off.

“I thought it was stress. I had just lost my mother and my grandmother. We were a very close-knit family, and those losses hit hard.”

But the symptoms kept creeping in. What started as mild breathlessness soon became impossible to ignore. Before long, Antwan found himself gasping for air — even in the middle of a simple conversation.

That’s when reality set in. Antwan turned to his wife and admitted what he’d been avoiding: it was time to go back to the doctor.

WakeMed Care Teams: The Health Heroes in Antwan's Life

On April 1, 2024, Antwan went to a WakeMed MyCare 365 location after experiencing even more troubling symptoms that forced him to miss work. His leg was swollen, and he was panting even while at rest. In pain and frustrated, he couldn't shake the disappointment of being so unwell in his mid-40s.

Upon evaluation of Antwan's many symptoms, his doctor told him to go immediately to an emergency room, so Antwan's wife drove him to WakeMed Brier Creek Healthplex Emergency Department.

He was admitted. Providers ran tests and quickly transferred him to WakeMed Raleigh Campus. 

"I felt like I was dying. I knew, at that point, my situation was severe."

A Shocking Number of Life-Threatening Health Diagnoses

Antwan was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), where he received care from heart failure team members Stuart Russell, MD; Malorie Evans, NP; Tanaya Foster, PA-C; and hematologist Vijay Chaudhary, MD, MPH. He was diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (10 to 15 percent), cardiogenic shock, diastolic dysfunction, bilateral pulmonary embolisms and deep vein thrombosis. 

"I learned that I was in active heart failure and that I had five blood clots that had traveled up my right leg, my left and right lung and my liver."

The care team fought to save Antwan's life over the next five days, running tests to determine the reason for his sudden decline. 

"I felt overwhelmed as I have four children and a wife. I had a lot to live for, and it seemed my body was betraying me." 

After five days in ICU, Antwan made a positive turn in his condition, and on April 9, he was discharged home with monthly checks for signs of any returning disease states.

Lupus and Heart Health: Unraveling the Link to Heart Failure

On August 15, medical providers found another troubling condition. He was diagnosed with lupus anticoagulant.

Lupus can have a significant impact on the cardiovascular system. Interestingly, it's cardiovascular disease — rather than lupus — that ranks as the leading cause of death among those with the condition. For individuals with lupus, avoiding smoking is crucial, and managing high blood pressure through prescribed medications is often necessary to maintain overall well-being.

"The diagnosis was a hit, but I was encouraged by my blood doctor who ran a bunch of tests and a bunch of lab work. I'll probably be on anticoagulant medication for the rest of my life, but I was glad that by August my blood work was clean."

Cardiac Rehab Offers Hope for Recovery

In June 24, 2025, he was referred to WakeMed Cardiac Rehab – Raleigh Campus. He went in very thin, weak and fragile, but also determined to get well for his wife and four children. 

"I loved cardiac rehab because all the care team members were concerned about my well-being. I learned a lot about cardiac health. They encouraged me and gave me tools to successfully care for my heart. I was surprised that I was the youngest person there, but I didn't let that discourage me."

A Heart Procedure for Restoring Heart Health

On October 3, he learned that his ejection fraction went to 15 to 20 percent.

He was admitted to the WakeMed Heart Center where board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist Ashish Patel, MD, MPH, FACC, determined his best course of treatment was an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). 

"I was scared when I learned I needed the ICD. Honestly, I was scared from the moment I began having declining health symptoms. I am a God-fearing man and began to lean on God to protect me because I'd been trying to figure it out myself by spending time on the internet looking up my condition. This personal research was taking me on a downward mental spiral, and I had to make up my mind to get off the internet and trust God and my doctors. 

"I was glad the ICD procedure went great, and I was out of the hospital in no time." 

A Return to Cardiac Rehab

Antwan returned to cardiac rehabilitation and graduated from on December 31. He began the new year healthy and with a new lease on life. 

"I feel blessed, not depressed and no longer in distress. Teresa Bowen and everyone else in cardiac rehab was wonderful. The doctors and medical teams who saved my life were all wonderful."

Antwan's Word for Men during Men's Health Month

Antwan also offers a word of caution to men who notoriously delay seeking medical intervention.

He shares, "Today, my major word to any man is 'If you have symptoms, go to the doctor. Don't delay. Don't assume it's nothing. No matter how scared you are, it is better to face it and get help right away than to allow symptoms to spiral out of control to the point of death.'"

---

About WakeMed Brier Creek Healthplex Emergency Department 

When you or a loved one needs immediate medical attention, it's a comfort to know that the full-service, WakeMed Brier Creek Healthplex Emergency Department is nearby. Services for children and adults are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this emergency department is backed by WakeMed Children's and Wake County's only Level 1 Trauma Center. Patients arrive via walk-in and ambulance.

About WakeMed Cardiac Rehab 

At WakeMed, cardiac rehab isn’t just about recovery – it’s about rediscovering confidence, gaining strength and knowledge to live a heart-healthy life. Our program is tailored for those recovering from cardiac events, such as a heart attack, heart surgery (including bypass or valve repair/replacement), angioplasty or stent placement, heart failure or stable angina. Whether you join us in person or virtually, our expert team guides every step of your journey.

About WakeMed Heart & Vascular

WakeMed Heart & Vascular physicians bring together expert cardiologists along with cardiovascular, thoracic and vascular surgeons who are dedicated to delivering the highest level of cardiovascular care in Raleigh, Apex, Benson, Cary, Dunn, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Morrisville, Wake Forest and Clayton, N.C. For decades, these physicians have chosen to bring their talent and expertise to WakeMed for its reputation for excellence in cardiovascular care and commitment to providing the most exceptional patient experience.

About WakeMed Heart Center

When it comes to matters of the heart, there's nothing like experience. Wake County's first open heart surgery was performed at WakeMed in 1968, and we continue to be a leader in innovative cardiovascular care delivered by highly trained, board-certified physicians and staff who take a team approach to patient care. At WakeMed, patients always come first. Whether it's having a cardiac intervention team ready and waiting for you in a time of emergency, managing your high cholesterol or high blood pressure levels or helping you regain strength with our dedicated cardiac rehab program, WakeMed’s Heart & Vascular services, physicians and staff are here for you.

About WakeMed MyCare 365

MyCare 365 offers walk-in primary care delivered every day of the year, from routine visits to immediate care needs on your timeline. New and returning patients are seen with or without appointments because when you want care, you want it now. Visits (walk-in or scheduled) are billed as Primary Care co-pay.

About WakeMed Raleigh Campus

Raleigh Campus is WakeMed's flagship facility and leading provider of advanced health care services. Since its founding in 1961, the WakeMed Raleigh Campus has been a leader in offering one-of-a-kind services and the latest technology with an outstanding commitment to care and caring.