Johnny’s Story Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Overview

Three years ago at age 51, Johnny began noticing that he felt pretty tired at the end of the workday, but he thought this was just a sign of getting older. He still enjoyed playing golf and working in his yard at his North Carolina home, but he just didn't seem to have the same stamina he once did. And from time to time he experienced pain in his jaw.

Then, while playing golf one hot and humid day in July, the pain in Johnny's jaw got much worse. Later that day, the pain returned while he was working in his yard but eased up when he finished. The next few days, Johnny went to work as usual, but he began to realize that each time he got up from his desk, the pain came back.

Worried, Johnny called his family doctor for an appointment. After a quick exam and blood pressure check, his doctor told Johnny "You have a cardiac problem" and referred him immediately to North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., where a angiogram revealed a 95% blockage in his right coronary artery. His cardiologist implanted a Endeavor Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent to open the blockage and to maintain good blood flow.

"After spending a few days recuperating at home. I really felt good," says Johnny. "I returned to work and haven't had any more jaw pain. I continue to work in my yard and play some golf."

Johnny feels fortunate to have received treatment before a heart attack could occur. "When I was 4 years old, my father died of a heart attack at the age of 47," he says. "It's wonderful to know that we live in a world of modern medicine where we have choices like drug-eluting stents. No doubt this was a life-saver for me. Thank you, Medtronic!"