Does Matt Dillahunty Have a Heart?

Seth Andrews speaks with atheist activist, speaker, host, and magician Matt Dillahunty about his recent open heart surgery, his recovery, and the work ahead.

[bjrnen]

My dad had the very same procedure 20 years ago. New years eve. He was 40 at the time. He still walks among us as will Matt Dillahunty.

[maryanngarcia]

You look great Matt, I'm so glad the surgery went well. I lost my husband to heart disease a few years back. Stay well, take good care of yourself. The world wouldn't be right without you.

[mtbee]

I had a triple bypass 21 years ago. Still going strong today at 73. The day prior to the op I was visited by 3 different clergy who came in and asked if I wanted to talk.
I said no to each. I put my trust in the Surgeon.
I was back hiking in Australia 3 months after the op.

[hpqzhpqz]

Great chat Seth. Glad your refit appears to be successful Matt. Hoping to see lots more of both of you.

[loriw]

Seth…Thank you so much for recording the video for my daughter who’s stationed in Germany. As you know, it meant the world to her!!
So nice speaking with you at FreeFlo and your speech was phenomenal!!

[stevenlancestoll]

What a great interviewer Seth is...such a kind, warm approach.

[ellieb]

I hope he lives a long time, so I can thank him someday for deconverting me.

[davebowles]

Matt seems like such a chill guy. It's good to see him doing well after his procedure.
I'd wager to say that Matt has a very big heart.
Really good interview/talk, Seth.

Best of wishes, Matt, I'm a big fan. See you on the show.

[blahjett]

Great interview. It is obvious that you two are friends. I'm glad Matt is on the mend.

[philj]

Its was great to see Matt was better after. To quote Dan Dennett after his heart surgery: "Thank goodness".

[septixskeptix]

I'm glad Matt caught it in time and is still around. He's still got a lot of work to do.

[andyjackson]

I had a similar experience, although I presented with stable angina. What I would describe as having a flaming icicle deep within my chest that happened as I was loading luggage in a shuttle van. The pain would go away within 30 seconds or so after I sat in the driver's seat.
This was happening in the winter when it was very cold, so a rationalized it was the result of breathing the cold air. However, it continued happening as spring approached so I knew what it was without admitting to myself what it was.
Then one morning I awoke with the pain, which persisted throughout the day. My chest continued to ache through the next night, and into the next morning, This was not the crushing pain of a full blown heart attack, just a nagging stabbing ache that I knew I could not live with. So a drove myself to the emergency room.
The persistent pain is called unstable angina, which is heart attack-like but not total. So I had the procedure described by Matt, although the probe was inserted in my groin.
I could see the image of my heart on a monitor, and the injected dye did not travel in any of my coronary arteries, but instead seemed to diffuse across the heart muscle. I was told I needed by-pass surgery.
The surgeon used a brachial artery to reroute, and made seven by-pass grafts around blockages. Apparently I had had severe coronary artery disease for decades.
I was an avid recreational downhill skier, hiker and backpacker in the Colorado mountains. I would sometimes have that angina-like pain, usually during the first steep powder bump run of the day. This went on for many years, starting when I was in my mid 30's. I figure that my heart compensated for the developing blockages by forming collateral circulation.
Despite all that blockage, there is no damage to the heart muscle.
I probably owe my current existence to my passion for alpine activity as a young man.
My surgery was 18 years ago. I can't say I'm doing fine. I have had some minor angina-like discomfort recently, have had it checked out, and they say my heart is doing OK.
But I live for each day, have resolved to be happy each day, for any moment could be my last.
And I know that when I die I will be dead. No afterlife for me. And I am perfectly happy knowing that.

[MultiOhioman]

March 12, 2020 I had three stents put in. I was walking 1.5 miles in 20 minutes prior to my issue. I’m now finally up to 20 to 8 mile walks. Weather permitting I walk everyday. Just keep moving, you’ll be fine. I was 56 at the time. Take care.

[violagrindean]

This is a wonderful interview/talk I really like the shots and how everything is set up, it really feels like it has all the good things from TV interviews from the 1990s.
It's great to see Matt back on track and recovering at meteoric speed.
See ya on your stream, Matt.
- ViolaTree

[corystark]

So greatful to you Matt. i started watching atheist experience in the deciding time of my skepticism. And alot of what I heard gave shape to thoughts i was already having. Its safe to say you are one of the reasons I call myself an atheist and have peace in that aspect of my life. Very good to hear the surgery went well keep up the good work man!

[originalhazelgreene]

Oh just so glad Matt pulled through! Looking forward to many more years of Dilahunty delights.
For me, my heart surgeries were yet another thing that pushed me to accept the fact I am merely a self-aware conglomeration of cells and tissues. The human body is truly an amazing machine

[DanWardog]

My father just had a Penta bypass in December, extremely similar story to yours. Fortunately he is also doing great. I am glad you are well Matt!

[AbuctingTacos]

That's why I like listening to Matt so much. He sounds like the preachers I grew up listening to

[justin-g-]

I've got 2 heart attacks and 4 stents between them... not looking forward to the time they saw me up but it's happening sooner than later. Glad you're with us, Matt, and thanks Seth for the good talk. The magic makes me smile.

[cachorro]

Happy to see Matt doing well, the world needs him.