Breakthrough Procedure Helps Former Firefighter Paramedic Reclaim Life

Former firefighter paramedic Mark Pavao built his career on helping others, but complex cardiac issues forced him into medical leave and left him feeling as though he had lost his identity. Now, he has reclaimed that identity and is preparing to begin a new job at Saint Anne’s Hospital, the same place where he received a groundbreaking procedure that helped him regain his health.

Undergoing Renal Denervation to Control High Blood Pressure

Pavao became the first patient in southeastern Massachusetts to undergo renal denervation at Saint Anne’s Hospital, a minimally invasive procedure designed to help control high blood pressure. The technique uses energy delivered through a catheter to disrupt overactive nerves near the kidneys, signals that can drive dangerously high blood pressure.

His decision to have the procedure at Saint Anne’s Hospital came after careful collaboration with his primary care physician, who first expressed concern due to lack of familiarity with renal denervation. Speaking with Sadip Pant, MD, FACC, RPVI, an interventional and structural cardiologist and director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory and the pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) at Saint Anne’s Hospital, changed his primary care physician’s mind.

“Dr. Pant and Dr. Talia Shorr ended up emailing back and forth, and she changed her mind,” said Pavao. “Then, it went from there. Why did I choose Saint Anne's? Dr. Pant is in the cath lab. He's the doctor that I trust.”

He also praised the broader hospital clinical team, “The team at Saint Anne's in that cath lab is incredible.”

Enjoying Life Again

The results of the procedure on Pavao’s health and life speak for themselves. Within weeks of the procedure, Pavao saw measurable improvements in his health. Physicians reduced some of his heart-related medications far earlier than expected, and he began to regain strength, energy, and mobility.

“My life was almost like I was stuck in third gear for a very, very long time,” said Pavao. “Once this procedure happened, it was almost like the engine got readjusted, and I got out of third gear, and I started moving.”

He has enjoyed getting back to hobbies and finding himself again.

“I feel more alive,” said Pavao. “I'm moving around more. I don't feel like I'm as hesitant. I'm not as cloudy. It's easier for me. It's almost like I'm getting my identity back.”

That renewed sense of identity has led him back to the profession he loves.

Reflecting on his experience, Pavao credits both medical expertise and teamwork for his outcome.

“I was put in the right place at the right time with the right people.”

At Saint Anne’s Hospital, stories like Pavao’s highlight the power of advanced cardiac care delivered by experienced specialists and a dedicated clinical team. Cardiology Services at Saint Anne’s Hospital continues to expand access to life-changing treatments, helping patients not only recover, but return to the lives they love.