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.