COLUMBIA, Tenn. — Joe Sears is no stranger to the outdoors. As a professional hunting guide for more than 35 years, Sears often describes North America as his “backyard.” While visiting Columbia early last year, this avid outdoorsman found himself on an unexpected journey — waking up from sleep experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.
At 65, Sears considered himself in great shape, regularly running and hiking upwards of five miles a day and staying active at altitudes ranging from zero to more than 10,000 feet above sea level.
“I’ve been very healthy and active my entire life,” said Sears. “I was shocked to consider that I was having a heart attack. I had some symptoms — shortness of breath, discomfort in my chest — but I initially brushed it off. This time, however, the symptoms were impossible to ignore. My wife and I knew it was time go to the ER.”
After arriving at Maury Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department, Sears was immediately taken back for testing, which revealed two critical blockages in his heart — one at 90% and the other at 95%. This required immediate intervention.
“I underwent a procedure immediately to have stents placed in my heart, where they entered through the arteries in my wrist,” Sears said. “I was in a ‘twilight,’ but I was awake. They made sure I was comfortable, and they kept me informed. The procedure was a success and I’m thankful for that. I have a before and after photo of my heart and the blood flow — looking at this photo is humbling for me and my family.”
A stent procedure is a safe and advanced treatment for restoring proper blood flow in blocked arteries. Using minimally invasive techniques, a balloon-tipped catheter is guided to the blockage where a tiny wire mesh stent is placed to hold the artery open. This procedure is a common, effective solution for managing heart disease.
“We can achieve great outcomes like this with experienced, dedicated and caring individuals including EMS, ER and Cath Lab teams,” said Kevin M. Maquiling, MD, a cardiologist with Vanderbilt Heart – Columbia on the medical staff at Maury Regional Medical Center. “Mr. Sears’s own words remind us that it all started with his recognizing the symptoms of an acute heart attack and acting promptly to avoid permanent heart damage.”
After his procedure, Sears spent two additional nights at the hospital to begin recovery, which included walking and light physical activity. Today, just over a year later, Sears is back to hiking, hunting, working on his business and, most importantly, spending quality time with his growing family.
“I feel back to where I was, but now I’m more aware of when to slow down,” said Sears. “My family is my legacy — they are my everything and I have so many memories left to make with them. If I had one piece of advice to offer others, it would be to listen to your body. If you have symptoms of a heart attack, don’t wait.”
Know the signs of a heart attack. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing:
- Chest discomfort, such as pressure, tightness or pain
- Discomfort in other parts of the upper body (arm, jaw, back or neck)
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual fatigue
- Nausea, light-headedness or cold sweat
Maury Regional Medical Center provides a vast array of cardiac services that include interventional procedures as well as pacemaker and defibrillator implants. Physicians are members of Vanderbilt Heart-Columbia and Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Columbia who are complemented by a highly skilled and experienced team that strives to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Learn more about heart services, including cardiac rehab, diagnostics and support groups, at MauryRegional.com/Heart.