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Gadsden Councilman Jason Wilson thanks medical teams, urges genetic testing after cardiac ICU stay
Summary
Councilman Jason Wilson described a 23-day cardiac ICU hospitalization and thanked medical staff at Riverview and UAB. He said his condition is genetic, urged family genetic testing, and expressed gratitude for community support and ongoing care options including a possible transplant.
Councilman Jason Wilson told the Gadsden City Council on June 8 that he spent 23 days in a cardiac intensive-care unit and credited doctors and nurses at Riverview and UAB for saving his life and guiding ongoing care.
"I've been able to potentially postpone [a heart transplant] for an undetermined amount of time, but I'll take every day that I can get," Wilson said, describing the range of emotions during his hospitalization and the gratitude he feels toward clinicians who treated him. He named several doctors and nurses who cared for him and singled out a local cardiologist who followed his case.
Wilson stressed his condition is genetic rather than lifestyle-related and urged citizens to consider genetic testing to detect inherited heart conditions earlier: "This is a genetic illness that can show up in anybody's life at any moment," he said. He added that his cholesterol and blood-pressure numbers are good and that he had "zero blockage" in his arteries, underscoring the hereditary nature of his illness.
Council colleagues expressed support and noted ongoing prayers and community concern. Wilson said he remains under medical supervision and thanked constituents and colleagues for ongoing care and encouragement.
Next steps: Wilson will continue treatment and follow-up care; council members encouraged community support and awareness of genetic cardiac conditions.
