A Safer Heart
In July of last year, John Heitkamp and his wife went to Sanford Health in Worthington, Minnesota for heart screenings. It had been 10 years since Heitkamp’s last one.
“We went over there and had it done, and the gal said that my calcium score was quite high and I should have it checked out,” Heitkamp says.
A coronary calcium score measures how much calcium has built up in artery walls, creating a higher risk for heart attack or stroke. When the heart screening showed that his score was high, Heitkamp was referred to Tom Stys, MD, a cardiologist at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
“The plaque in his arteries increased by about tenfold over a decade, which was a red flag,” explains Dr. Stys. “We needed to make sure there wasn’t a problem that would possibly be life-threatening.”
But at that time, Heitkamp wasn’t experiencing any symptoms.
“When they wanted me to go to a specialist, I kind of felt like maybe they made a mistake with the test. Because I had no chest pain, arm pain or anything. I didn’t even think I was short of breath,” Heitkamp explains.
But further testing with Dr. Stys revealed there hadn’t been a mistake – Heitkamp definitely had a cardiovascular problem.
“Ultimately, he did have a blockage in the main artery in the front of the heart. If a heart attack had occurred, it very likely could have been lethal,” says Dr. Stys.
Once the blockage was identified, Dr. Stys was able to fix it by placing a stent, a tube that props the artery open where it has narrowed from plaque build-up. Heitkamp was surprised by the simplicity of the procedure.
“We went into the operating room – and zip-zip and it was done. It couldn’t have been easier,” he says.
The outpatient procedure had Heitkamp back home within hours.
“And now, in a way, he has a fresh start,” says Dr. Stys. “He did not have any other major blockages. His heart function remains normal. His valves are functioning normal.”
His experience has certainly made Heitkamp an advocate for heart screenings.
“That was the cheapest thing I’ve ever done to save my life. I would encourage someone to just have it done, even if you think you’re in perfect health - I thought I was, and here I had an 80% blockage.”
Dr. Stys believes it’s never too early to be screened for heart disease.
“Since it’s such a predominant condition, I believe everybody should be screened,” Dr. Stys says. “I always recommend our patients consider screening not just for themselves but even their children. It’s never too early to think about cardiovascular issues.”
