How heart surgery helped a Veteran recover from end stage heart failure

When Jorge Recano, a 73-year-old U.S. Army veteran, began struggling with fatigue and shortness of breath, he didn't realize his heart was failing him.

The once-active grandfather who loved traveling and working on projects around the house found himself fighting for his life. His heart was failing, and his only options were hospice care or to undergo complex heart surgery to receive a mechanical heart pump known as a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD.

A rapid decline

Recano was transferred to Loma Linda University Medical Center in critical condition after his heart entered cardiogenic shock. Years earlier, chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma had weakened his heart muscle, and it could no longer pump enough blood to sustain his organs.

Diane Tran, MD, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist at Loma Linda University Health, recognized immediately how dire his situation was.

"He came to us on high doses of medication to try to keep him alive. His kidneys and liver were beginning to fail," says Tran. "At that point, an LVAD was the only option to save his life."

Due to his age, Recano was not eligible for a heart transplant under program criteria, but his determination and overall health made him an ideal candidate for an LVAD, a mechanical pump surgically implanted into the left ventricle that takes over the heart's pumping function and restores circulation.

"The LVAD works with the patient's own heart," explains Tran. "It continuously pumps blood into the body, improving perfusion, organ function, and quality of life. It's not just about living longer; it's about living better."

Recovery and renewal

Recano underwent surgery in July 2025, and within two weeks, he was preparing to go home.

"I felt great right away," he said. "No pain in my heart - just the chest healing. The nurses kept saying, 'time will heal.' They were right."

He still marvels at how smooth the process felt. "I didn't even realize I had open-heart surgery," says Recano. "When I asked when we were doing the operation, they told me, 'You're done.' That blew my mind, I was expecting to feel awful, but I didn't."

Tran credits Recano's strong motivation and family support for his recovery.

"He and his wife were incredibly engaged in his care," she said. "That's the key for long-term success. He had purpose, family, and a will to keep going - all things that predict a great outcome."

A lifeline of love

Married for more than 50 years, Recano calls his wife his lifeline. She changes his dressings every few days and keeps detailed records of every medication and appointment.

Faith has also guided him through both heart failure and his earlier battle with cancer. "Without Him, we're nothing," Recano said. "When I had cancer, I told God - if you need me, take me. If not, leave me so I can play with my grandkids. Now I've met three more."

Now home and gaining strength every week, Recano is eager to visit the Montana home he and his wife built before his illness.

Behind the technology

Loma Linda University International Heart Institute uses the latest generation of LVAD technology, the HeartMate 3, a magnetically levitated centrifugal pump that moves blood smoothly and quietly, reducing complications seen in older devices.

"This new design minimizes friction and clot formation," says Tran. "It carries a lower risk of stroke and pump thrombosis compared to prior devices while improving long-term outcomes. Many patients live 8 to 10 years or more with excellent quality of life."

Unlike older pumps that cause noise or vibration, the HeartMate 3 runs silently. "You don't hear a heartbeat anymore," Recano said. "Just a hum, the sound of life."

Tran says the LVAD gives patients a bridge to life and a second chance to keep writing their story.

A message to others

Recano hopes his story inspires others facing advanced heart failure to stay open to treatment. "Don't be afraid," he says. "If you have people who still want you around, do it."

Tran's message to those in the end stage of heart failure is that it doesn't have to be the end. "The LVAD gives patients a bridge to life and a second chance to keep writing their story," she says.

If you or someone you love has advanced heart failure, talk to your healthcare provider about the full range of treatment options available.

Veterans Day 2025 offers Loma Linda University Health the opportunity to honor and recognize the essential military contributions made by veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

Jorge Recano during his time serving for the United States Army.

Learn more about Loma Linda University International Heart Institute and the heart failure program.