In early 2022, Walt Morris noticed several troubling symptoms, yet he dismissed each one. He attributed his neck pain to stress and thought his headaches could be managed with some ibuprofen and ice. His erratic heart rate seemed to be a result of too much caffeine, and he rationalized his jaw pain as either tooth grinding or simply the result of a demanding week filled with teaching driver’s education and coaching basketball. When he suddenly found himself unable to swallow and experienced intense sweating, Walt attempted to brush it off, thinking he could power through the discomfort. “I’m just getting old,” he assured himself at the age of 62, despite generally feeling good and maintaining an active lifestyle. He was coaching young athletes daily and routinely completing a three-mile walk-jog around his Noblesville, Indiana neighborhood.
However, everything changed in July 2022 when Walt was on his usual path and was suddenly struck by a sharp pain in his jaw that caused him to collapse. A passerby rushed to his side, asking if he needed to call for an ambulance. “No, I’m fine,” Walt insisted as he picked himself up and slowly made his way home, believing that a brief rest would suffice. Upon entering his house, he found his wife, Lisa, who was recovering from back surgery. As he walked in drenched in sweat and visibly pale, he mentioned, “My tooth is killing me,” claiming that the pain had knocked him down. Lisa, having worked for 20 years in a cardiology office, quickly dismissed his reassurances and insisted they go to the emergency room.
Once at the hospital, Walt underwent a variety of tests, but the doctors struggled to identify the problem. A cardiologist suggested that he remain overnight for further examination. The following day, after an echocardiogram which uses sound waves to create images of the heart, the doctor delivered grave news: Walt had suffered an aortic dissection. This condition entails a tear in the inner wall of the major artery leading from the heart, which can create life-threatening risks. “You may only have 30 minutes to live,” the doctor warned, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. While they couldn’t transport him by helicopter, they arranged for him to go by ambulance with a police escort to the nearest heart center, where a surgeon reluctantly agreed to perform the operation.
The surgery lasted an astonishing 11 hours and, thankfully, was successful. During his recovery, Walt learned that a man of the same age who had the same procedure at the same time had not fared as well. “I’ve never been more aware of the thin line between life and death and how close I was to crossing it,” Walt reflected. Further investigations revealed that Walt was born with a condition known as a bicuspid aortic valve, which is a common congenital heart defect. Unlike a typical heart that has three leaflets, his heart possessed only two, which can lead to significant complications as the valve manages blood flow out of the heart.
As he processed the experience, Walt felt a rush of gratitude for the various factors that contributed to his survival. He was thankful that Lisa was home when he needed her, for her insistence on visiting the hospital rather than letting him rest, and for the medical team’s timely intervention. He recognized the dedication of the surgical team and was relieved that ignoring his symptoms hadn’t cost him his life. “My appreciation for life has grown tremendously,” he explained. Following his recovery, Walt began contemplating how he could utilize his second chance to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
To promote heart health awareness, Walt actively shares his story, emphasizing the significance of reporting symptoms and family medical histories to healthcare providers. One regret he acknowledges is that he hadn’t previously discussed with his doctor his family history, which included his father’s heart aneurysm. Since his life-altering event, Walt has urged his relatives to undergo heart checks, and fortunately, his sister was identified with the same bicuspid aortic valve and managed to address it through surgery. He has connected with numerous individuals who discovered their own heart conditions after hearing about his journey.
Lisa noted that she wasn’t surprised by Walt’s determination to turn an unfortunate experience into a catalyst for good. “Walt has always been committed to helping others, and that commitment has only deepened following his surgery,” she remarked. This inspiring account highlights the resilience of heart disease survivors, caregivers, and advocates, showcasing how challenges can lead to meaningful change and awareness.