JEFFERSON, Iowa – Bill and Martha Monroe have lived in Jefferson for over 30 years, and Bill said he had always considered himself to be in good health. “At least that’s what I thought,” he said. As a retired pharmacist, Bill spent his entire career in healthcare, but he never knew about the importance of a calcium score test until it was nearly too late.
In December, during a routine check-up with his primary care provider, Dr. Fagg, at the Greene County Family Medicine Clinic, the subject of calcium score testing was brought up. This non-invasive imaging procedure measures the amount of calcium buildup in the coronary arteries. “I had never heard of it before,” Bill said, “but he [Dr. Fagg] suggested it as a preventive measure that was inexpensive and available right here at Greene County Medical Center.” Although he was not experiencing any heart-related symptoms, no chest pains or shortness of breath, and was still active, Bill decided to go ahead with the test in January.
“And I must have studied hard because I had a score of 901,” he said. Calcium scores are reported as numbers ranging from zero to 400. The higher the score, the greater the amount of plaque buildup and the greater risk of heart disease. Despite feeling fine, Bill had just learned his arteries were dangerously clogged. The outcome resulted in Dr. Fagg ordering follow-up testing, which included a nuclear stress test and EKG. Bill said neither test raised any alarms, but an angiogram was ordered so they could see what was going on.
“They couldn’t even put a stent in,” Bill said about his angiogram. “I was so blocked up that I was then sent to see a cardiac surgeon. Fortunately, all the preliminary testing for the surgeon could be done at Greene County Medical Center. I had a CT scan, an echocardiogram and pulmonary function tests and then the next week I had vein mapping and a carotid duplex ultrasound.” Once testing was done, Bill was scheduled for a bypass on July 23, which everyone was expecting would result in a triple or quadruple bypass.
“They came out and told my wife after surgery that they had done a quintuple (five) bypass and an aortic valve replacement,” Bill explained. “I had 100% blockage in one artery, 95% in another and several more in the 70-85% range. Doctors were stunned that I had not experienced any debilitating symptoms.” But what that test had caught could have been a fatal issue. The fact that Bill was still active, exercising, singing and even traveling, was nothing short of a miracle.
Bill said the care he received throughout the entire process, and especially at Greene County Medical Center, was outstanding. “Without them, I honestly don’t know where I would be today. Not only did they facilitate the calcium score test, but they also ordered follow-up services right here in Jefferson, saving me countless trips out of town,” he said. “This was incredibly convenient and made my recovery that much smoother since I could even complete my cardiac rehab right here. I am telling everyone I know, especially those over 55 or 60, to consider getting this simple test. It’s a game-changer.” Bill also shared this information with his two older brothers, who found they had extremely high scores and are now getting the care they need.
Just a couple of months after his surgery and cardiac rehab, Bill is back to his active lifestyle, traveling and going to the Jefferson Community Center several times a week. He wants everyone to know that it is never too late to take charge of your health and that he is grateful to the entire medical team at Greene County Medical Center. ‘For the cost of a nice dinner, for only $89, you could save your life.”