Ernest Aviles
After receiving a life-saving heart pump, Ernest Aviles is enjoying every day with his family.
Several years ago, Ernest Aviles' health took a sudden turn. He began feeling tired all the time, and it was difficult for him to even finish mowing the lawn. One day, Ernest thought he was having horrible heartburn. It turns out, he suffered multiple heart attacks and was in advanced heart failure.
Ernest underwent surgery to have a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a battery-operated heart pump, implanted. An LVAD helps the weakened left ventricle — the main pumping chamber of the heart — send oxygenated blood throughout the body. The device improves and extends the life of patients with end-stage heart failure.
Ernest is one of only a few dozen people in the world who have lived 15 years or longer with an LVAD. It's given him more precious time with his wife, Molly, and their 11 children, 28 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
“I'm so happy to be able to spend time with my family,” Ernest said. “They are my heart.”