- I essentially don't have a pulse.
You can check everywhere you'd want
and you won't feel a pulse.
So I'm pretty much the best looking zombie you'll ever see.
(laughs)
My name is Andrew Jones and I'm a professional
fitness model, living with an artificial heart.
I always have to have batteries charging.
At night when I'm going to bed, I'll plug my phone in
and then I'll plug myself into the wall outlet
to make sure I have power overnight.
In 2012, I was diagnosed with a cardiomyopathy
which affects the heart’s efficiency to pump blood.
I was incredibly ill at the time
and I was admitted to the ICU for four months
where they had to implant what's called an LVAD,
which stands for Left Ventricular Assist Device.
And it's considered an artificial heart.
It's taking over the work of my heart for me.
These devices, the two batteries and the computer,
these are what are powering and controlling
the artificial heart, to make sure that
it's working efficiently and working properly.
I started feeling strong again when I was recovering
after having the artificial heart implanted.
And, of course, it didn't all come at once, I took baby steps
and I found myself back in the gym sooner than later.
And I got my strength back and once I'm able to find
the right match for a heart transplant,
I'll no longer need my artificial heart.
At first I was upset about having an artificial heart
and then there was the moment where I realized that
this is my life for now and either I can dwell
and feel sorry for myself, or I can continue doing the things
that I love to do, the best way I can and I haven't stopped.
I'm proud of the scars that I have from my surgeries
because scars are beautiful, they're a part of you.
They tell your story and no one can take that away from you.
(heart beating)