My internist, Dr. Ghayth Hammad, saved my life. During my annual physical, all my blood panel numbers were excellent. A year prior I was borderline diabetic, overweight, and not eating as healthy as I should have been. All these actions and behaviors were within my control. The borderline diabetic part of this story is also very much hereditary for me. My father’s mother, as well as my father, his seven siblings, and most of my cousins on my father’s side of the family, were all insulin-dependent diabetics. My sister and I, so far, are not. So, during the past year, I did exactly what my doctor told me to do. I lost 40 pounds. I vigorously worked out three times per week at the gym under the supervision of a certified personal trainer. I was sleeping better than ever. My nutritional intake (very much influenced by my wife), although not perfect, was vastly improved. I’d never felt better in my life. During my review with my doctor, he was pleased with the results of my change in lifestyle and exercise. And then, he saved my life. Literally. He took note that he hadn’t seen a cardiac calcium score in my health record. I didn’t even know what the test meant. He told me it was a great diagnostic test, and especially in people who have no symptoms of heart issues, which I was “one of those” with absolutely no symptoms of heart disease. No shortness of breath. No chest pain. No jaw, neck, arm or shoulder pain. No dizziness. No indigestion or heartburn. No lack of energy. No fatigue. No palpitations. No swelling in the ankles, legs, or feet. I felt great! Dr. Hammad told me that I was the perfect candidate for this cardiac calcium test thing. It’s a CT scan of the heart. It measures the amount of calcium/plaque build-up in the coronary arteries. It’s not a perfect test. Unlike a heart catheterization, it won’t actually see inside the arteries. But it’s a starting point to assess the potential for developing or measuring existing coronary artery disease. It was very inexpensive (less than $100 for me), although many times not covered by health insurance plans (even though heart disease is reported to be the number one killer of humans). “Let’s just get this test done,” he said, and I complied. The whole process of getting the test was easy. 15 minutes tops, and most of that was spent registering at the Medical Center Diagnostic Radiology Department. The actual test took almost no time at all. A few days later, I received a call from Dr. Hammad with the results. He was clearly upset with the test results. He educated me on the scoring. An excellent score is 0-10. At a score of about 300, they recommend a stress test, which I picture is on a treadmill, although I am not a doctor. At 400, they many times recommend a nuclear stress test, which mirrors a stress test without the physical exertion in a controlled environment. I’m (certainly) guessing here, but I suspect at that score level they don’t want you to blow up during the test! Dr. Hammad insisted that I immediately meet with a cardiologist, Dr. Mohammed Kazimuddin. Always striving to be an overachiever, my score was approximately 2200. On the Richter Scale of cardiac calcium test, a 2200 is a hard stop. Potentially a hard stop in the literal sense. In the deadly sense a hard stop. Again, I had absolutely no symptoms. I was tailor-made for this test.
During the consultation with Dr. Kazimuddin, he ordered a heart catheterization. I was hoping if they found “bad stuff,” they could fix it with stents. The cath showed really bad stuff, which they described to me as the “widow-maker” blockages. The artery that supplies the blood for the heart muscle itself was blocked greater than 90%. They tell me that my heart was “compensating” for this blockage, and it could have easily killed me – dead. They also wouldn’t let me leave the hospital until I received an open-heart bypass procedure. They called it CABG (pronounced cabbage), which stands for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft. I’ve never liked cabbage regardless of how it is cooked. Little did I know, this CABG would give me a second chance I never knew I needed.
Dr. Paul Moore and his team performed my surgery, and they did a fantastic job. The first thing they did was give me confidence that they are excellent at this type of plumbing work. The next was to share their team of experts in patient care in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at The Medical Center at Bowling Green. The doctors, nurses, techs, nursing assistants, housekeeping folks, food service, therapists, literally everyone involved in my care, treated me like I was the only patient in their world. My family and I received excellent care. I felt completely at ease with their very personal, relational care.
Now at 13 weeks post-surgery, Cardiac Rehab (supervised exercise) is three times per week at The Medical Center. Those lovely folks make sure I am exercising in a measured, disciplined, and appropriate way. I’ve never had pain (okay, maybe a little discomfort as my sternum healed). I also know I am very fortunate in my health journey. Not everyone has such a smooth ride. I am grateful for my good fortune and wonderful care.
What I have experienced first and foremost is thanksgiving; a great sense of gratitude. I received a second chance in life that I didn’t even know I needed. A second chance to live here in the Garden of Eden. A second chance to experience all the good things in this world – the rewarding work I get to do in my professional life, early morning walks with my wife, playing with my grandkids, witnessing the wonders of nature, holding a newborn baby, catching and releasing a fish, struggling at golf, arguing/discussing with my friends about a different point of view, sharing a great meal, living in freedom, worshiping as I choose, and countless other things I many times take for granted. God has given me a second chance at life, again, that I didn’t know I needed. No symptoms. My doctor saved my life. I am grateful. What a thanksgiving.
If this story speaks to you in a way to be curious about the Cardiac Calcium Score test, please consult with your doctor about it. Since my surgery, I have heard countless stories similar to mine. Please listen to that voice of reason that encourages you to be proactive in your healthcare. I am in no way a doctor or healthcare professional, and am not attempting to diagnose, treat, or even recommend medical treatments for anyone. What I will do is encourage you and everyone I know to seek proactive healthcare from great professionals in that arena. If we can connect you to folks that will help you, it will please me to do so. All you need do is reach out to me.
Wishing you a great Thanksgiving.
-by Ben Smith
Registered Principal, RJFS
313 East 10th Ave. • Bowling Green, KY 42101 • Phone: 270-846-2656
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