A Simple Check-Up Uncovered a Hidden Heart Condition—And It May Have Saved His Life
Most people don’t expect a routine urgent care visit to change their life—but for Richard Hurlburt of Hallsville, Texas, that’s exactly what happened. What started as a quick stop at HealthCARE Express for poison ivy treatment turned into the discovery of a serious heart condition—one he never even knew he had.
From Poison Ivy to a Heart Murmur
Richard had never had an issue with poison ivy before. In fact, he used to handle it without a second thought. But after doing some cleanup work in his back pasture one weekend, he realized things had changed.
“I used to be able to rub poison ivy on my arm just to freak people out,” Richard recalls. “But this time, I had a reaction, so I came to HealthCARE Express to get a steroid shot to clear it up.”
Richard had visited HealthCARE Express before and knew he could count on quick, reliable care without waiting for a doctor’s appointment. But this time, his visit took an unexpected turn.
A Simple Heart Check That Changed Everything
When Richard was seen by Alex Donnelly, FNP-C, his provider at HealthCARE Express, she did something that caught him off guard.
“She listened to my symptoms, looked at my poison ivy, and said, ‘No problem, we can take care of that.’ But then, out of the blue, she said, ‘Let me listen to your heart.’”
At first, Richard thought it was a little unusual—after all, he was there for poison ivy, not heart concerns. But what happened next saved his life.
“She starts listening and looks at me and says, ‘You realize you have a heart murmur, right?’ I had no idea. She heard something serious enough that she didn’t just recommend I see a cardiologist—she scheduled the appointment for me.”
A Diagnosis That Could Have Been Deadly
Three weeks later, Richard went to his cardiology appointment. The doctor listened to his heart, then sat down next to him, patting his leg reassuringly—a moment that made Richard realize something was seriously wrong.
After an echocardiogram, doctors discovered that Richard had a severely leaking mitral valve and a dilated upper heart chamber, putting him at high risk for a heart attack or stroke.
“I can just about guarantee that if I hadn’t come to HealthCARE Express, I might have died without ever knowing I had a problem,” Richard says.
A Grateful Heart & A Second Chance
Richard’s wife called Alex Donnelly after his diagnosis to tell her she had saved his life.
“I’ve told Alex that myself,” Richard says. “If it weren’t for her going above and beyond, I might not be here today.”
Now, Richard is taking his health more seriously than ever, making regular doctor visits and staying on top of his heart condition.
“I want to be here for my grandkids,” he says. “Avoiding doctors isn’t the answer—it can actually be the path to death. They’re here to help. And Alex? She did more than help—she saved my life.”
Your Health Matters—Don’t Wait
At HealthCARE Express, we’re more than just an urgent care—we’re a place where our providers truly care about your well-being.
Whether you’re coming in for something as simple as poison ivy or something more concerning, our team goes beyond the symptoms to make sure you’re healthy, safe, and cared for.
If something feels off, don’t wait—let us help you catch it early. Walk in or book an appointment online today.
Your health is too important to ignore.
