When you need open heart surgery at age 36
In 2015, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with severe congestive heart failure with three blockages in the main arteries to my heart and signs of two previous heart attacks.
The news came as a complete shock to me, as I’m only 36 years old. I had been feeling under the weather for some time and, initially, my family doctor prescribed multiple rounds of antibiotics for what we thought was just bronchitis and a respiratory infection.
But after my symptoms worsened, I underwent an EKG and echocardiogram. Dr. Mahesh N. Raju, an interventional cardiologist at Advocate Heart Institute at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill., reviewed the results and realized I had multiple underlying heart issues.
He immediately consulted with Dr. Ali A. Valika, an Advocate Heart Institute cardiologist at Good Samaritan Hospital, and I underwent additional tests. The doctors told me my right coronary artery was completely blocked, my left anterior descending artery was 90 percent blocked and my left circumflex artery was 50 to 60 percent blocked. The rest of my heart seemed to be “hibernating,” I was told, from the damage that occurred from the heart attacks and the blockages.
Because my heart wasn’t yet stable or strong enough for open heart bypass surgery right away, my doctors sent me home wearing a heart monitor designed to detect abnormal heart patterns and shock my heart back into a correct rhythm if needed (it also could deliver a lifesaving shock if my heart were to go into sudden cardiac arrest). I was also referred to Good Samaritan Hospital’s outpatient heart recovery program, which I visited on a weekly basis.
Last September, I underwent triple bypass open heart surgery with cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Antone Tatooles with Advocate Heart Institute at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill., to re-vascularize my heart and repair the blocked arteries. The surgery was a success.
I then returned to Good Samaritan Hospital for continued monitoring in the heart recovery program and in the three-phase cardiac rehabilitation program. I’m still in cardiac rehab, where I attend class three times a week to strengthen my heart and cardiovascular system.
In December, I received good news at my 90-day post-surgery checkup: My ejection fraction, which measures how well my heart is pumping blood, had risen from 20 percent to 40 percent (normal level is 55 to 65 percent). According to my doctors, the improvement is due to a combination of surgery, medication and the cardiac rehabilitation program.
I agree with them, but I also know my recovery has a lot to do with the excellent care I received from the entire team at Good Samaritan Hospital. For that, I thank them on behalf of myself, my wife and my 5-year-old daughter.
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About the Author
Brian Krieger is a 36-year-old Lisle resident who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, a disease that affects six million Americans. He was treated at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital and Advocate Christ Medical Center. Because of Advocate Health Care’s partnership with the Chicago Bears, Krieger had the opportunity to hold the “Bear Down” flag during player introductions at the Bears Jan. 3 home game against the Detroit Lions.
Mom and Dad are also thankful and grateful for the excellent response and care given our son Brian. Understanding that there has been tremendous advances in heart issue treatment, there still need to be dedicate and skilled people applying those treatments. So thanks to the Advocate Medical staff personnel, for investing your time and money in your education and training.
You forgot to mention all of the people praying with and for you and for the fabulous medical team that has brought you back to health. To God be the glory that those doctors have the knowledge and skills to do miracles. Thrilled with your recovery!
Craig and Donna McKenzie
would like to thank God, who has given these fine surgeons, the knowledge, and the hands to perform such a difficult surgery, Advocate, for developing a great Cardiac program, and being the best in the area, we want to thank you for saving our cousin Brians Kriegers life, for giving him a second chance at life. Words can’t express how grateful we are, for educating him ,and walking down the path with Brian to a Healthy life.
Thanks for sharing your experience with congestive heart failure at such a young age of 36. You also mentioned how that when your heart was not yet strong enough for surgery, you had to wear a device that would shock your heart if it stopped beating. I also think that getting yearly checkups will go a long way to detecting abnormalities early.