Cary heart patient recognized at Bulls’ Hoops & Hearts game
Rich Bressett, a Cary resident and patient at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, was honored at the fourth annual Hoops & Hearts event on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the United Center. The evening promoting heart health awareness was hosted by Advocate Health Care and the Chicago Bulls in recognition of Heart Health Awareness Month.
Bressett, a seventh-grade teacher and multi-sport coach, never imagined he would face a life-threatening heart condition. At nearly 60 years old, he felt he was in the best shape of his life. Bressett maintained a healthy diet, exercised daily and played basketball several times a week. With no symptoms and no significant family history of heart disease, heart issues weren’t on his radar. But a conversation with his cousin changed the course of his heart health.
“My cousin told me about how he got a calcium test and recommended I get one too,” Bressett said. “I never heard of it before, so he explained how the test helps predict your risk for heart issues. In my cousin’s case, after his calcium result, stents were required.”
Bressett took his cousin’s advice and scheduled the calcium test. A score above zero indicates there is calcification in the arteries; a score between one and 100 means there is mild calcium buildup and a moderate risk of heart attack. Bressett’s score came in at a staggering 4,000, a sign of severe calcification and a high risk of heart attack.
He was recommended to Dr. George Christy, a cardiologist at Advocate Health Care. Bressett underwent a stress test and later an angiogram, which showed he needed triple bypass surgery.
On Dec. 5, Bressett underwent the open-heart surgery under the care of Dr. Abraham Katz. Dr. Katz rerouted the blood vessels around blocked arteries to improve blood flow to his heart. Once he was discharged from the hospital, Bressett began cardiac rehab and set a personal goal: to return to teaching on Jan. 6, the first day of the new semester. He achieved his goal and now has his sights set on returning to coaching high school softball in March.
“The care I received at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital was outstanding, and cardiac rehab has been a key part of my recovery,” Bressett shared. “I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received from my family, friends and coworkers every step of the way.”
Bressett realizes how fortunate he is to have caught the potential danger early.
“My doctors have said I’m very lucky. It’s possible I would have never experienced any symptoms prior to a fatal heart attack,” he said. “Since my surgery I’ve been encouraging everyone in my age group to get the calcium test. It was only about $50, and it was the best $50 I’ve ever spent.”
Bressett, along with other Advocate Health Care heart patients from across Chicagoland, enjoyed a pregame dinner and heard from former point guard Kirk Hinrich and Advocate Health Care physicians about heart health. They received a custom Bulls jersey and participated in the Fan Tunnel experience where they met Benny the Bull and high-fived Bulls players on their way out to the court before enjoying the game from the stands with their guests.