My friend’s warning changed my future
By Eric King
Sometimes a conversation stays with you.
For me, it was a talk with my friend and Genesis colleague, Shon Bender.
Shon had recently undergone a heart procedure. What struck me wasn’t just what had happened to Shon. It was what he said afterward.
He encouraged the people around him to pay attention to their health, consider their family history and get checked if something didn’t seem right.
I listened. Then I went home and kept thinking about it.
At 58, I was enjoying life. I had a job I loved, a family I cherished and no reason to think anything was wrong.
But my father had suffered a heart attack at 59. I was getting close to that age. What if Shon’s warning was meant for me, too?
Rather than ignoring the thought, I sent a message to Michelle Garber, P.A., with Genesis Primary Care through MyChart. That message started a conversation about my family history, lifestyle and heart health.
She took my concerns seriously. She was fantastic. She answered all my questions and helped keep me at ease. When it came to my health, there was no quitting time for her. She was involved with every step of my care.
She scheduled a specialized CT scan to examine the blood vessels in my heart. I expected the test to give me peace of mind. It didn’t.
The test showed significant plaque buildup. I was referred to the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute for more tests.
The results showed three blocked arteries. Two were 90% blocked. The third was 80% blocked. I needed triple bypass surgery.
Suddenly, the conversation with Shon didn’t feel like a conversation anymore. It felt like a warning I had been given just in time.
On May 20, at Genesis Hospital, Dr. Surender Neravetla, a Thoracic Surgeon, performed the procedure.
A couple of days later, I was home.
Dr. Neravetla told me that because of my family history of heart disease, I needed to pay attention to my diet, exercise and sleep health.
I took that message seriously. After surgery, I changed the way I approached my health.
I cut back on salt, sugar, carbohydrates and processed foods. I participated in cardiac rehabilitation and learned more about the importance of sleep.
I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea, which causes a person to stop breathing for short periods while sleeping. The resulting reduction in oxygen levels had been putting additional strain on my heart.
With treatment, regular exercise and healthier eating habits, I was soon spending more time with my children and grandchildren, getting back to the activities I enjoy.
Those moments feel different now. Preparing a healthier meal. Standing on the sidelines at a sporting event. Getting back on the golf course. They are ordinary moments. But I don’t take them for granted anymore.
What could have been
When I think about what happened, I keep coming back to how easily the story could have been different.
My colleague Natalie Thompson wanted to help others after her cancer battle. That led to the Hope in Motion 5K. Shon wanted to support Natalie and those she was trying to help. That led him to discover his own heart problem. Then Shon talked to his friends. I listened. And that conversation led me to discover three blocked arteries before I had a heart attack.
I don’t know what would have happened if Shon hadn’t spoken up. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t listened. But I know one thing. I’m grateful I did.
My father didn’t get the chance to act on his family history before his heart attack. I did.
 Eric’s commitment to improving his health helped him return to golf and the active life he loves. |
Today, I get to spend time with my children and grandchildren. I get to work. I get to golf. I get to enjoy the everyday things I might have taken for granted before.
And I get to tell people what Shon told me.
If you have a family history of heart disease or concerns about your heart health, talk with your healthcare provider about getting tested.
Don’t assume you’re fine because you feel fine. Sometimes, the most important health decision you make begins with a simple conversation. Mine did. But the conversation didn’t end with me.
I wasn’t the only friend who heard Shon’s message. Our friend Michael King heard it too. Like me, Michael had a family history of heart disease. Our stories unfolded differently. But thankfully, we are all still here.
Continue the story: Read how Michael King’s heart health journey became part of the story.
Meet Eric's care team
Surender Neravetla, M.D., FACS |
Michelle Garber, P.A. |
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After his friend and Genesis colleague Shon Bender urged him to get checked, Eric King discovered three severely blocked coronary arteries despite feeling healthy. He underwent triple bypass surgery at Genesis and committed to improving his health through lifestyle changes and cardiac rehabilitation. Eric's story demonstrates how listening to a friend's warning and seeking preventive care can uncover hidden heart disease before a potentially life-threatening event.
