March 2026
During American Heart Month, Carla Quisenberry is sharing her story in hopes it will help others listen to their bodies — and feel confident seeking care when something doesn’t feel right.
Carla first noticed something was wrong during everyday activities. Simple tasks like mowing the lawn left her unusually short of breath.
Her instinct led her to Providence Heart Institute at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, where cardiologist Jenna Kay, M.D., helped identify the cause: Cardiac amyloidosis, a rare condition in which abnormal proteins build up in the heart, making it stiff and less able to pump effectively. Fewer than 35 people per 100,000 are diagnosed with the condition.
At first, the diagnosis was frightening.
"I thought I had 10 years, at the most," Carla says. "So it was pretty scary."
What brought her comfort was not just the diagnosis — but the clarity, honesty and teamwork that followed. Through careful evaluation, Carla learned she did not need a heart transplant. Instead, her care team identified a specialized chemotherapy treatment tailored to her condition.
Dr. Kay credits Carla for trusting her instincts and speaking up.
"She asserted for herself and was able to reach out and say this isn't normal for me - this isn't normal for a young, healthy person," she says.
Today, Carla says she feels strong — both physically and emotionally. She credits the coordinated approach of her care team for helping her move from fear to confidence.
"It has to have, sort of, a team approach and I feel like I'm on a very good team," she says.
Related
- Schedule an appointment at Providence Heart Clinic - St. Vincent.
- See a story on a 75$ million donation transforming the future of our heart health care.
