A visit with his primary care physician revealed the pain was more serious than a pulled muscle — it was actually coming from his heart. J.R.'s doctor referred him to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where cardiologists put him through a series of tests. A treadmill stress test showed minor abnormalities in his heartbeat.
That alone wouldn't normally raise any red flags. "But he had other risk factors for a heart attack, such as high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels," says cardiologist Scott Eisenberg, D.O., director of prevention and wellness for Meridian CardioVascular Network.
Based on this information, doctors calculated that J.R. had a 10 percent risk of suffering a heart attack in the next 10 years. They decided to look inside his heart for an even more accurate picture of his risk.
A Startling Reality Revealed
For the doctors to do that, J.R. had a coronary CT scan. With this test, an IV placed in the forearm sends contrast dye to the heart, highlighting any blockages. This newer procedure is a less invasive alternative to a cardiac catheterization and takes only minutes. A catheterization can take several hours.
The CT scan revealed that not one but all three of J.R.'s main coronary arteries were significantly blocked. One was 99 percent blocked, the second was 70 percent blocked, and the third was 50 percent blocked. His heart was a ticking time bomb.
In July 2010, Dr. Eisenberg's medical partner, Robert Kayser, M.D., performed an angioplasty on J.R.'s heart. Dr. Kayser reopened two of the mostly blocked arteries to restore blood flow and inserted stents to help keep them open. Medication would take care of the third.
Everyday Choices Can Be Lifesaving
Some patients might think that the story ends here. Not so, says Dr. Eisenberg. "This is when the hard work begins," he says. "I always tell patients that if I do my job right and let them know what kinds of lifestyle changes they need to make — and they do their job right and follow through — then they won't be on the operating table again."
Months out of surgery, J.R. is still taking this advice to heart. "After this experience, I realized how important it is to me to be around for my sons, who are only 9 and 11 years old," J.R. says. "I want to see them get married. I want to meet my grandchildren. If I had made better choices throughout my life, this probably wouldn't have happened. But I now know that I can prevent it from happening again."
Today, instead of eating fried and greasy foods, he fills his plate with whole grains, lean proteins, and salad. He has traded sugary soft drinks for water. And instead of relying on the occasional game of basketball for exercise, he tries to make exercise a part of his daily routine — whether that means getting outside with his kids or hitting the gym for a workout.
"I'm not 100 percent there yet, but every day I make progress toward a healthier life," he says. His progress is paying off: His blood pressure is back to normal, and he's down 15 pounds since having the surgery.
About the Doctor
- Scott R. Eisenberg, D.O.
Board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases
Sea Girt, NJ | 732-974-6700
