Sometimes, life-changing moments begin with something as simple as a dare.
My sister, Michelle, and her husband, Kevin, weren’t planning to get Heart Calcium Scoring tests. It wasn’t part of a routine checkup or prompted by symptoms. It was more of a whim—a challenge between the two of them to “just see” how their hearts were doing. No one expected what came next.
The results were startling. Both Michelle and Kevin had dangerously high calcium scores, revealing significant blockages in their coronary arteries—specifically, the “widow maker,” a critical artery where blockages are often fatal if left untreated.
Within a short time, they each underwent procedures to have stents placed. The intervention was not only timely—it was lifesaving.
Perhaps the most meaningful part of this journey is what it’s given them: time. Time to spend with their new grandbaby. Time to prepare for the arrival of another one on the way. Time to be present, healthy, and full of life for the moments that matter most.
Since then, everything has changed. Michelle and Kevin feel better than they have in years. Their energy is back. Their outlook is brighter. And their commitment to heart health has deepened in ways they never imagined.
What started as a lighthearted dare turned into a wake-up call—and a second chance. Their story is a powerful reminder that heart disease doesn’t always come with warning signs, and that proactive screening can truly save lives.
