Daniel Vallaire
Saved by Siri: A Heartwarming Rescue at Broward Health
More than 48 hours after initially collapsing and still unable to move, Dan managed to call out to Siri, a voice activation feature on Apple’s iPhone that dialed his daughter Victoria for him. She answered, and after learning what was happening, immediately called 911. EMS arrived and rushed Dan to Broward Health Medical Center.
When Daniel Vallaire relocated from Montana to Fort Lauderdale in October 2023, he was eager for a lifestyle change and to be closer to his daughter, Victoria, whom he had raised alone since she was 8. But less than one year after moving to Fort Lauderdale and just four days shy of his 70th birthday, Dan collapsed in his bathroom as he was preparing for bed. When he regained consciousness, he could not get up.
“I was on the floor without water for two whole days, so I was confused, I had no strength and was severely dehydrated. It was the closest I’ve ever been to dying,” Dan said. “My phone was in the living room, so I couldn’t even call 911.”
This was not Dan’s first health scare. Five years earlier, at age 65, Dan had an aortic valve replacement in his heart, but he was quickly able to return to his active life that included running, biking and playing golf.
Fast forward five years and the caregivers at Broward Health found that not only had Dan suffered a small stroke, he had an infection in the replaced valve that had spread to two other valves in his heart. He was also diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis, an autoimmune condition that can complicate treatment.
Dan needed another valve replacement and a pacemaker and Alexander Justicz, M.D., a Broward Health Physician Group cardiac surgeon, was brought in to replace the valve. “I appreciated the fact that Dr. Justicz was straightforward and reassuring during a chaotic time, explaining the risks of the surgery to me and to my family,” Dan said. With Victoria and his sister by his side, Dan celebrated his 70th birthday in the hospital’s intensive care unit as he awaited surgery.
After recovering from surgery, Dan enthusiastically returned to work as an outside sales representative.
“I feel great,” he said. “I am progressing in my cardiac rehabilitation program. I’m jogging a little and can’t wait to start playing golf again.”
Dan is quick to encourage others, especially those with a family history of heart issues, to prioritize their health with regular health check-ups and heart stress tests. Dr. Justicz couldn’t agree more.
“Heart valve disease requires continued care and regular screenings to monitor for disease progression,” Dr. Justicz said. “It’s important to check in with your doctor especially if you have a family history of heart valve disease, rheumatic disease or suffer from certain autoimmune diseases. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and obesity are also heart disease risk factors.”
For more information on Broward Health’s cardiovascular services, please visit BrowardHealth.org/CardiacCare.