Three Advocate Health Care patients from Lake and McHenry counties who survived heart-related events were honored at an annual event hosted by the Chicago Bulls during a recent game.
The fourth annual Hoops and Hearts game was held on February 12 at the United Center in Chicago.
The evening promoting heart health awareness was hosted by Advocate Health Care and the Chicago Bulls in recognition of Heart Health Awareness Month.
Todd Porter, a Round Lake resident who is a middle school social studies teacher and high school basketball coach, was one of the honorees.
Porter began experiencing frequent heartburn last fall despite being physically active, eating healthy and avoiding smoking and drinking.
After weeks of discomfort, he woke up in the middle of the night on September 24 with what he thought was very painful heartburn.
Porter immediately went to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where doctors confirmed he was suffering from a heart attack and needed surgery.
He underwent quintuple bypass surgery to treat five blocked coronary arteries on October 2.
Dr. Robert Johnson, a cardiologist at Advocate Health Care, diagnosed Porter with chronic heart failure and instructed him to wear a cardiac defibrillator vest that continuously monitors his heart rhythm and delivers shocks if necessary.
“Cardiac rehab has been amazing,” Porter said. “I look forward to going because of the positive energy everyone brings. I would recommend Advocate Condell to anyone in need of heart care.”
Porter said he encourages others to take health symptoms seriously. “Listen to your body and don’t brush off any symptoms. I’m only 55 years old with no family history, and it happened to me. If you have any symptoms, go to the emergency room and get yourself checked out. For me, it was a lifesaving decision.”
Another patient, James King, who is a Waukegan resident, also received recognition at the event for his battle with heart failure.
King began feeling unusually tired and sluggish 15 years ago. He delayed seeking medical attention, a decision that health officials said would later affect his health.
He was eventually diagnosed with heart failure and had a pacemaker implanted.
In 2016, Dr. William Cotts recommended he undergo open heart surgery to get a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant, which is a mechanical pump that helps the heart pump blood, hospital officials said.
King ultimately decided to proceed after encouragement from his care team and family.
He spent months in inpatient recovery after the procedure at Advocate Christ Medical Center. King continued his recovery at home and participated in outpatient cardiac rehab at Advocate Condell.
“I never thought I’d be able to walk around again,” King said. “I thought I’d be stuck in a chair. Now I feel a lot better and I’m thankful for all the dedicated doctors and nurses for their care.”
Rich Bressett, a Cary resident and patient at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, was also honored at the Bulls game.
Bressett, a seventh-grade teacher and multi-sport coach, said he never imagined he would face a life-threatening heart condition.
He felt he was in the best shape of his life at nearly 60 years old. Bressett maintained a healthy diet, exercised daily and played basketball several times a week.
“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. 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.
Bressett underwent open-heart surgery under the care of Dr. Abraham Katz on December 5.
Katz rerouted the blood vessels around blocked arteries to improve blood flow to his heart, hospital officials said.
Bressett began cardiac rehab and set a personal goal to return to teaching on January 6, the first day of the new semester.
He achieved the goal and now has his sights set on returning to coaching high school softball in March.
“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.”
Hospital officials say the three men’s stories serve as a “powerful reminder” of the importance of heart health and the life-saving impact of early intervention and comprehensive care.
Bressett, Porter and King, along with Advocate Health Care heart patients from across the Chicagoland area, enjoyed a pre-game dinner and heard from former point guard Kirk Hinrich and Advocate Health Care physicians about heart health during the annual Hoops and Hearts game earlier this month.
They also 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.