Advocate Sherman Hospital heart patient unfurls Bear Down flag at Chicago Bears game
Advocate Health Care heart patient Diana Esposito was recognized as the Chicago Bears’ special guest during the Bear Down Flag Ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 4.
The experience marks a year since the Elgin resident graduated from the cardiac rehabilitation program after undergoing a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin.
Advocate and the Bears invited 72-year-old Esposito to help unfurl the giant flag at Soldier Field before kickoff. Her friend, Mary Thomas, joined her on the field for the pregame ceremony before they returned to the stands to watch the Bears face the Detroit Lions.
A retired physical education teacher and former athlete, Esposito didn’t think twice when her primary care physician recommended a routine electrocardiogram in 2024 to check her heart’s activity. She was active and had no symptoms suggesting a problem — so it came as a surprise when her doctor referred her to the Advocate Sherman cardiology team for further evaluation.
After a stress test and echocardiogram, clinicians diagnosed Esposito with severe aortic stenosis, a disease in which the aortic valve narrows and restricts blood flow. That’s when she also learned she was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, a heart defect where the valve has two cusps instead of three.
In August 2024, Esposito underwent a successful TAVR performed by Dr. Daniel Ahmad, an interventional cardiologist at Advocate Sherman. The minimally invasive procedure uses a catheter to replace the damaged aortic valve with a new one that immediately restores blood flow. For patients with aortic stenosis, TAVR offers an effective alternative to traditional open-heart surgery, with quicker recovery and reduced risk of complications.
“Diana’s success story demonstrates the impact of the exceptional, multidisciplinary cardiac care we provide,” Dr. Ahmad said. “Watching her mark a recovery milestone at Soldier Field is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with advanced heart care.”
Esposito also received a pacemaker that helped detect atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that she’s now able to effectively manage.
Following the TAVR procedure, Esposito’s recovery involved enrollment in Advocate’s cardiac rehabilitation program, offering individualized counseling, education and exercise plans to help strengthen patients’ cardiovascular health. She graduated just over a year ago, and her heart health has since remained strong.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the wonderful care I received from Dr. Ahmad and the entire team at Advocate Sherman Hospital. They supported me every step of the way and set me up to thrive,” Esposito said. “It’s an honor to celebrate my health and recovery with this unforgettable experience at the Chicago Bears game.”
The cardiology team at Advocate Sherman Hospital offers comprehensive care and advanced treatment options for patients with heart and vascular concerns. Early detection and referrals are critical, Dr. Ahmad says, especially for addressing conditions such as aortic stenosis before complications or irreversible heart damage occurs.