50 Phenoms: Joe's Story | Marathoner Kept Running After Triple Bypass Surgery | UPMC HealthBeat

Joe decided to try running a marathon. Then he did another — and qualified for the prestigious Boston Marathon. He kept going, kept challenging himself, kept achieving. Get his story. #50Phenoms

[KGB]

Thanks so much for sharing this story!! April 19 this year I had a massive heart attack while running with friends after work. I was beyond lucky as there was a doctor about to get a hair cut in the barber shop feet from where I went down. He started CPR in less than 2 minutes and stayed with me once the paramedics got there. They worked on me for over 45 minutes before I was stable enough to transport. At the hospital I was put into an induced coma until I could regain enough strength for the bypass surgery. Two weeks after the bypass surgery they implanted an ICD in my chest (defibrillator). I was in the hospital cardiac ICU ward for over 6 weeks before I went home to continue my recovery. After two weeks home I had trouble breathing and an x-ray found that my left lung was 75% full of fluid. I was told that fluid in the lung is common after heart surgeries. But, mine was worse than normal and this also lead my heart rhythm into AFIB. So, I spent another week at the cardio ICU hotel while my lung drained and the doctors tried to restore my heart rhythm. To solve the AFIB issue I ended up having a cardioversion? (not sure the correct term) Basically a low level shock similar to the paddles the paramedics used. When trying to push my Cardiologist for a time line to return to training he let me know that the damaged caused by my heart attack and the long time spent reviving and stabilizing me has left me with a damaged heart that is now operating below what is considered safe. A normal heart operates between 45 and 75% efficiency. Mine is working at 35% +/-. It is still unknown if or how much my heart will recover. The good news is that after 5 months, I am now power walking in the 5 - 8km range easily and I have gone on two light hikes that went very well. I am still uncertain what the future holds. But, I am feeling almost normal and the last feedback from my cardiologist was that he expects my heart to recover back to what can be considered a normal range. Until then, it's power walking, e-bike riding and light hiking. Thanks again for sharing Joe's story!

[SpeedTravelTH]

Thanks for the inspiration. I had a quadruple bypass on December of 2022 and I'm still struggling with my first 10k after the surgery. I have had some complications after the surgery (arrhythmias), but I still hope to finish my first ultra-trail next year. Your video is such a good inspiration to me and I will get back to my training plan if my cardiac MRI comes out with a good results.

[Bigal]

Thanks for inspiring me to get back out there. I had a double bypass on July 26, 2022 and I plan to run Kiowah Island Marathon on December 10, 2022. I had registered in April when I had no idea of the heart issue.

[SirCharles]

Thanks for this video. I'm a relatively health 61 year old about to have bipass surgery. I plan on staying very active and exercising afterward and this brings me hope that I can achieve it. Thanks

[wckdaintgood]

I have a friend and we’re both 21 she had to have bypass surgery last year. I took her out to eat to this pizza place and she passed out I had to call the ambulance and they had to immediately have surgery on her. I was with her during recovery the entire way and now we’re almost two years strong.

[far_and_away]

I'm inspired. I had a quintuple bypass nine months ago. I've walked the caminho Santiago de Compestela six months after surgery. I've been to nervous to run though.

[kevinwalker]

I’m 48 years old and I’m having a double bypass surgery in 24 hours, although I’m not looking to run a marathon I was looking for a glimmer of hope that it might be possible. His story gives me hope and I am inspired to run again. Thank you.