I had quintuple bypass (CABG) open heart surgery on March 6th, 2025. Yes, I'm a younger kind of patient for this surgery but my Dad had open heart surgery when he was in his mid 40s so I guess I'm following his path.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." ~ Psalms 73:26

Me going through this process wasn't from making bad decisions although making better dietary decisions could have delayed my surgery a few years. This was hereditary rather than bad dietary decisions over my life. My dad had heart disease and both my grandpas had heart issues before they passed. It is by God's grace, I'm still here and get to live longer.

In October 2024 my medical provider ordered blood work and an EKG. The blood work showed I had high cholesterol and my EKG was abnormal. Start cholesterol meds and move on. No big deal, right? I went to my medical provider to review these results and he was not too concerned but he ordered a CT Cardiac Calcium Scoring to be on the safe side. After getting this test, it showed I had calcium buildup on the left side of my heart. Although undesirable results, without this test, we would have never saw a potential health issue. This test helped save my life.

Based on the outcome of the CT Cardiac Calcium Scoring, an abnormal EKG, high cholesterol results, and family history of heart disease, I decided to go see a cardiologist in early January 2025. After reviewing these results, he wanted me to have a Treadmill Stress Test. During this test, I was unable to meet the targeted heart rate resulting in an abnormal EKG. My cardiologist then wanted me to have another Treadmill Stress Test but with contrast this time. During this test, I was again unable to meet the targeted heart rate resulting in an abnormal EKG, and the images taken showed a mild but large area of concern. After my cardiologist reviewed the results he wanted me to have a routine heart catheterization (cath).

On March 5th, my brother and Mom took me to have the routine heart cath with the expectations of having angioplasty and a stent at most. After the procedure, my cardiologist came in and said I had 10 blockages, they were moving me to ICU, and I would be having open heart surgery the next morning. The cardiovascular surgeon then came in and reviewed his plan with us and he showed that all main arteries were over 70% blocked. My widow maker was 100% blocked and a couple arteries were over 90% blocked. Upon hearing this news I knew God was fully in control, at that moment, of my life.

If you think you might have a medical condition that you have been putting off, scared to get checked out, or you have a family history of any medical condition, please go see your medical provider and get checked out before it's too late.

If you have a family history of heart disease, I strongly recommend you research and discuss with your medical provider on getting a CT Cardiac Calcium Scoring. In Ohio, these tests are $99. Unfortunately, they are not covered by insurance but realize it could provide you and your medical provider the information that could save your life, like it did mine. If I didn't get this test, no telling what my future would have looked like.

Lastly, I ask that you make a donation to the American Heart Association. For patients like me, we have benefited from all their research and hard work to help save lives. Heart disease claims a life every 34 seconds.

God Bless You.

God is Good…All the time.