Lyme disease rates are climbing across the country, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting emergency room visits for tick bites reaching their highest levels in years. Cardiologists are now warning of serious, sometimes life-threatening heart complications linked to the illness.

Delaware State University track and field coach Stephen Kimes says he knows those risks firsthand. After being sidelined for nearly two years, Kimes is back in action following a long recovery from Lyme disease that led to fluid and inflammation around his heart.

“I was healthy. I'm out coaching, moving around all the time. I played basketball, pickup games, whatever. And then all of a sudden, you can't lift your arms up above your head and you're stiff or you can't move legs,” Kimes said.

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