From Enlarged Heart to Quadruple Bypass: Father and Son Undergo Heart Surgery Weeks Apart
Kurt and Allen Buck, who spend their days helping others stay active, never imagined heart disease would hit so close to home. Kurt is manager and his father, Allen, is service manager of Push, Pedal, Pull – a fitness equipment company in Cedar Rapids. Both required open heart surgery within weeks of each other.
When Breathing Problems Point to the Heart
“I was having a hard time breathing when lying on my back,” 53-year-old Kurt describes. “I couldn’t catch my breath. I thought I had a respiratory issue, so I went to see a doctor.”
X-rays showed no problems with his lungs, however, they did reveal an enlarged heart. His doctor sent him to St. Luke’s Heart Care Clinic, where he met cardiothoracic surgeon Garry Weide, DO.
“Kurt was born with an aortic valve that had two leaflets instead of three,” Dr. Weide explains. “When that happens, patients can have an accelerated progression of aortic stenosis (narrowing of the valve). In addition, people with a bicuspid valve often develop enlargement of the aorta, and Kurt had an ascending (top section) aortic aneurysm. He required open heart surgery; we replaced his aortic valve with a mechanical valve and repaired his aorta.”
Weeks later, during pre-screening for hernia surgery, Allen received surprisingly similar news.
“I didn’t realize anything was wrong until I went in for my hernia,” Allen, 75, recalls. “They did an EKG and said I had heart issues. When I went to the cardiologist, he told me I needed a [quadruple bypass]. That was double scary because I’d seen what my son already went through.”
Life-Threatening Events Averted
Without surgery, both Kurt and Allen faced potentially severe outcomes.
“Kurt’s valve did not open or close properly, so his heart had to work too hard to pump blood to the rest of his body,” Dr. Weide explains. “Like any muscle that works too hard for too long, it fatigues and begins to fail. Had we not treated Kurt’s valve, he likely would have developed progressive heart failure. Additionally, his aortic aneurysm could have ruptured, and that’s almost a universally fatal event. He could also have experienced a dissection (tearing of the aorta), which results in an emergency operation that comes with quite a bit of risk.
“For Allen, it was similar,” Dr. Weide continues. “Hearts deprived of good, oxygenated blood due to blocked arteries tend to fail. He was also at risk of having a heart attack, which could have been fatal.”
Cardiac Rehab Offers Recovery and Insight
Following their surgery, each participated in cardiac rehab, placing them on the opposite side of the equipment they work with every day.
“Cardiac rehab is a key component to the overall process,” Dr. Weide notes. “It’s an all-encompassing program – exercise and lifestyle management. Before ‘graduating,’ patients meet with a dietitian. For many people, they don’t have any other form of physical activity, so it motivates them to improve their overall fitness level. Kurt and Allen were unique in that they were active to begin with; individuals who have a healthy exercise routine before surgery tend to recover quicker.”
For Kurt, the experience has given him a new lens for understanding the customers he serves.
“Going through [open heart surgery] and doing rehab has made me more alert and appreciative when someone's going through something like that,” he says. “It’s more personable. I can relate to it a little better.”
More Energy and Appreciation After Heart Surgery
Both men have noticed how much better they feel since their surgeries, and for that they credit Dr. Weide and St. Luke’s Heart Care team.
“I was a big energy drink person before,” Kurt says. “I would have one every morning for a pick-me-up. Then I’d get tired in the afternoon, and after work just wanted to go to bed. From the surgery until now – no energy drinks. I quit drinking alcohol, and I’ve never smoked. It’s a night-and-day difference as far as my breathing goes and how much energy I have.”
“I feel a lot more energetic,” Allen concurs. “I'm not dozing off like I was. Now my wife and I go out walking every day.”
Kurt says having surgery at St. Luke’s was an easy choice, and it gave him peace-of-mind knowing his father would be in the same capable hands.
“I grew up in the area, and St. Luke’s is where we’ve always gone – my grandparents, my parents and me,” Kurt shares. “I felt very confident with Dr. Weide’s team. When I found out my dad needed open heart surgery, too, I knew it would be OK because he had the same team, and that whole team is awesome. From start to finish, I can’t say enough good things.”
Talk to Your Doctor
Not all heart conditions come with obvious warning signs. Regular checkups and screenings can make a life-saving difference. Talk to your doctor about your heart risk, know your family history and learn to recognize the early warning signs of heart problems.