We continue to monitor COVID-19, flu and other respiratory viruses in our communities. Read the most current information about prevention, testing and where to go if you're sick.

COVID-19 Information

Dr. Stewart Gets a “Second Chance at Life” After Heart Attack

Image

Todd Stewart, MD, is no stranger to critically ill patients and life-saving procedures. As a spinal neurosurgeon and chief of neurosurgery at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, it’s all in a day’s work. But it came as a shock when he suffered a life-threatening heart attack last year.

Luckily, Dr. Stewart can thank a well-trained EMS crew and his colleagues at MoBap for helping him survive and make a remarkable recovery.

At 54 years old, Dr. Stewart had already decided that he was ready to make lifestyle changes to support a healthy heart. “My father had heart disease, and my recent bloodwork showed cholesterol and blood sugar numbers at higher levels than before. I also had difficulty focusing with generalized fatigue and sweating more than usual. During a family trip to Ireland, I felt pushed to my limit trying to keep up with my two teenage sons and daughter.”

In August 2022, with the encouragement of his wife, Nancy, and his primary care physician, Dr. Stewart started a program that included eating a healthy low-carb diet, exercising twice a day and drinking plenty of water. “I lost 35 pounds, and my energy and stamina improved; however, my tiredness and sweating continued to be an issue.”

EMS Called When Dr. Stewart Has Trouble Breathing

In the middle of the night on Sept. 30, Nancy Stewart woke up and noticed her husband was breathing oddly. After she could not wake him and his breathing became more labored, she called 9-1-1.

“Emergency medical services were on the way immediately, and I stayed on the phone with the EMS operator. That’s when Todd stopped breathing,” Nancy says. “I felt utterly helpless because I couldn’t roll him off the bed to the hard surface of the floor to begin CPR.”

A police officer was first to arrive. He helped pull Dr. Stewart from the bed to the floor and started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with chest compressions. CPR keeps blood and oxygen flowing to the body and can increase the chances of survival.

“I’m thankful that the officers in the city of Des Peres are cross-trained in EMS, and they were able to provide CPR until the ambulance and paramedics arrived seconds later,” Dr. Stewart says.

As soon as the paramedics arrived, they took over CPR and inserted an IV to give Dr. Stewart medication and fluid. They also connected him to a device called an AED (automated external defibrillator) that analyzes the heart rhythm and, if needed, can deliver a shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm. 

After 24 minutes of CPR with no detectable heartbeat, the AED finally recognized a “shockable” rhythm. The device delivered a shock to Dr. Stewart’s chest, which restarted his heart. As soon as he was stabilized, paramedics transferred him to MoBap’s emergency department.

Emergency Cardiac Cath Finds Blockages

At the MoBap emergency room, doctors intubated Dr. Stewart and put him on a ventilator to help him breathe and placed him into a temporary drug-induced coma to give his body the best chance for recovery.

Then, he was taken for an emergency cardiac catheterization (cardiac cath), a minimally invasive procedure to let doctors assess his heart muscle, valves and vessels. James Scharff, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon and chief of surgery at MoBap, was also on standby for emergency open-heart surgery if needed.

MoBap’s Heart Center has a specialized team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and nurses who work together to treat a wide range of heart conditions, says Gus Theodos, MD, BJC Medical Group interventional cardiologist on staff at MoBap. “We really are a multidisciplinary team focused on doing what’s best for each patient, as if they were a family member.”

During the cardiac cath, Dr. Theodos guided a thin, flexible tube (catheter) through an artery in Dr. Stewart’s wrist to the heart.

“Heart catheterizations can be lifesaving because they provide access to blocked arteries and can help us quickly determine what procedure is necessary to fix the problem,” Dr. Theodos says.

In Dr. Stewart’s case, the cardiac catheterization revealed significant blockages in his heart’s main arteries. “We determined that he needed an immediate balloon angioplasty with stenting to improve blood flow to his heart,” Dr. Theodos says.

A stent is a small mesh tube that props open a blood vessel. During the procedure, a catheter with a small balloon is used to insert the stent near the narrowed or blocked area of the artery. After the balloon is inflated, the blockage is compressed against the artery walls, and the stent is placed to hold open the blood vessel and improve blood flow to the heart.

After Dr. Theodos placed two stents, Dr. Stewart was transferred to MoBap’s cardiac intensive care unit for close monitoring and recovery.

“After the first 24 hours, his heart muscle looked stronger on an echocardiogram, and he was responding to the treatment,” Dr. Theodos says. “It was a remarkable recovery.”

Doctors reversed Dr. Stewart’s medically induced coma 18 hours after the procedure. After regaining consciousness, he moved to a regular room in the advanced cardiac care unit for the remainder of his six-day stay.  

“I was amazed by the level of care and clear communication by the doctors and nurses throughout our stay,” Nancy says. “They responded quickly to every medical need and patiently explained everything happening.”

Before Dr. Stewart went home, Dr. Theodos talked to him about the next steps. “He still had two arteries in the front of his heart with blockages that we didn’t stent during the first procedure because his heart was receiving blood supply through nearby arteries that had formed to bypass the blockages.”  

Dr. Stewart was immediately on board for a second procedure. “I had complete faith in Dr. Theodos, who has a stellar reputation among his colleagues, and he trained at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, where I did my spinal fellowship. I knew I couldn’t be in better hands, and I was anxious for a definitive solution for my heart problem.”

A Second Heart Procedure

After a month of recovery, Dr. Stewart returned to MoBap on Nov. 2 for a balloon angioplasty with the placement of two more stents to open the vessels in the front of the heart.

“Because the calcifications (or blockages) in the front arteries were older and had stiffened over time, they were difficult to get through. “We used an innovative procedure to guide the wire through the blockage by going backward through the collateral blood vessels that had formed. There are few doctors experienced with this technique in St. Louis,” Dr. Theodos says. “Then, we performed a rotational atherectomy to help place the stents.”

In the recovery room, Dr. Stewart says he immediately noticed the deep chest pressure, which had been present for over a decade, was gone.

“Having spent 20 years in practice, I know that the odds were against me to have the complete recovery that I have enjoyed,” he says. “Being a patient with a health crisis gave me a unique opportunity to experience MoBap’s multidisciplinary teamwork firsthand and witness how it is truly an indispensable part of the heart care continuum.”

Cardiac Rehab Strengthens Heart

As part of his recovery, Dr. Stewart goes to outpatient cardiac rehabilitation three times a week at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, a sister facility of MoBap. Cardiac rehabilitation is important for strengthening the heart and has been shown to reduce the risk of future heart events.

Dr. Stewart says that cardiac rehabilitation includes diet and lifestyle education, as well as monitored exercise. “My rehab has been going really well. The program reinforces good habits and keeps me active during my recovery. I’ve noticed that my strength and energy level have greatly improved.”

When he was ready to return to work and the operating room, Dr. Stewart met with Dr. Theodos for a complete evaluation. He also saw a neuropsychologist to rule out any signs of brain injury from possible oxygen deprivation while his heart wasn’t beating. “I have no cognitive deficits or brain injury, and my heart has fully recovered,” he says.

Building A Heart-Healthy Life

Today, Dr. Stewart continues his heart-healthy lifestyle with nutritious eating, drinking plenty of water and daily exercise. “Now, my diet is filled with heart-healthy fruits and vegetables, and my cholesterol bloodwork results have already shown dramatic improvement. I feel better than I have in 10 years,” he says.

Looking back on his experience, Dr. Stewart says he’s extremely thankful for the world-class care he received at MoBap. He’s also thankful for “Dr. Theodos, the EMS team and the incredible physicians and nurses at Missouri Baptist who gave me a second chance at life.”

He’s been overwhelmed and humbled by the well-wishes he’s received from family, friends and the community. “I don’t think we always realize how many lives we touch and the difference we make to those around us,” he says.

Dr. Stewart has advice for anyone concerned about their heart health: “Making lifestyle changes with diet, exercise and medication can help lower the risk for heart attack and is one of the best first steps of prevention. I mistakenly — and almost fatally — chalked up my symptoms of progressive fatigue, sweating and difficulty concentrating to other causes. If you have any heart symptoms or concerns, no matter how small, talk to your doctor.”

Help Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease With These Steps

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. By taking a proactive approach to your health and talking to your doctor, you can take steps to help lower your heart disease risk and start your journey to a healthier life.

  • Stop Smoking IconStop Smoking
  • Choose Good Nutrition IconChoose Good Nutrition
  • Be Active IconBe Active
  • Find a Healthy Weight IconFind a Healthy Weight
  • Manage Blood Pressure IconManage Blood Pressure
  • Control Your Cholesterol IconControl Your Cholesterol
  • Reduce Blood Sugar IconReduce Blood Sugar

Related Heart Content

Find a Doctor or Make an Appointment

Our new search tool will help you choose a doctor or health care provider that is best for you or your family.

Search Now

Stock photo of young family in kitchen preparing healthy meal

Online Heart Health Assessment

Are you at risk for a heart attack? Learn about your risk factors with our online heart health assessment tool and find help for improving your results.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Cardiac Testing at Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Diagnosing a heart condition often requires a combination of cardiovascular diagnostic and screening tests. These advanced tests can often determine the existence, type and severity of heart disease.

At Missouri Baptist Medical Center, our Cardiac Diagnostics Center is equipped with advanced technology and expertly trained staff to conducts these tests. Your test results will be evaluated by a board-certified cardiologist on staff at MoBap and discussed with your physician to tailor a treatment plan for your specific condition.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Mitral Valve Replacement

When Tina needed a new mitral valve, she benefited from BJC HealthCare’s collaborative approach to care that connected her with a multidisciplinary team of heart specialists. Her journey included seamless coordination between medical teams at two BJC HealthCare facilities: Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center (MoBap).

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

MoBap Celebrates 1,000 TAVR Case Milestone

On December 6, 2022, Missouri Baptist Medical Center performed its 1,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

“We are proud to reach this milestone,” says Michael Mauney, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon on staff at Missouri Baptist. “MoBap was among the first medical centers in the nation to adopt this procedure following FDA approval in Fall 2011.”

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure for replacing a stenotic (tight) aortic valve in which the aortic valve narrows, reducing blood flow from the heart to the aorta. This procedure can also replace failed artificial aortic and mitral valves. TAVR is a treatment option to be considered for those with severe aortic stenosis, including many with worn-out surgical valves.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Dr. Stewart Gets a “Second Chance at Life” After Heart Attack

Todd Stewart, MD, is no stranger to critically ill patients and life-saving procedures. As a spinal neurosurgeon and chief of neurosurgery at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, it’s all in a day’s work. But it came as a shock when he suffered a life-threatening heart attack last year.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Heart Matters: Father-Son Heart Surgery Strengthens Bond

When the need for surgery arose, this close-knit family made the decision to travel to St. Louis for a second opinion and care at Missouri Baptist Medical Center (MoBap). However, Matt and Bill never expected to be in the hospital at the same time, much less have heart surgery on the same day.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Helps Tom Return to the Basketball Court

Tom Caspari thought he was too healthy to have a heart attack.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Washington University Heart Failure Center at Missouri Baptist

At the Washington University Heart Failure Center at Missouri Baptist, we use a team approach to develop an individualized plan of care for you to manage your disease.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right
Deborah Quesenberry volleys during paddleball.

An Unexpected Diagnosis

When Deborah Quesenberry attended the Missouri Baptist Heart Fair in February 2017, she wasn’t expecting to have a diagnosis of a serious health problem.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

New Technology for Treating Cardiac Arrhythmias

The new technology at MoBap — robotic magnetic navigation (RMN) — introduces the benefits of robotic precision and safety to cardiac ablation, a common, minimally invasive procedure used to treat arrhythmias

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Starting Your Heart Health Journey

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for "men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States." However, heart disease can be present with no symptoms until a significant event happens, like a stroke or heart attack.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Living (Well) With Congestive Heart Failure

Follow these tips to live a healthier life with congestive heart failure.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Getting Clara to the Beach

Clara Freeman anxiously anticipated attending her oldest granddaughter's beach wedding.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Know the Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack can make a big difference. The faster someone having a heart attack can get care, the better the outcomes.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Heart Health Tips

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.  There are several risk factors that contribute to heart disease.  Some risk factors, including gender, age and family history are uncontrollable, while other risk factors can be modified with lifestyle changes.  Learn how you can make changes to improve your heart health.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Did You Know?

As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more widely available, many people wonder whether it's right for them. BJC HealthCare wants you to have the information you need to make the right decision for yourself and your loved ones.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Recovery is a Journey

Scott Winder had been having trouble breathing and wasn’t sleeping well. Like many people do, he dismissed the symptoms until one day at work, his suddenly racing heart, sweating and worsening breathing problems sent him to the  Emergency Department at Parkland Health Center in Farmington.

Scott walked through the doors of the emergency room and collapsed.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Cardiac Surgery Center: World Class Care, Close to Home.

Missouri Baptist Medical Center continually ranks among the top hospitals for cardiac surgery in the nation. Known for exceptional heart surgery outcomes, we are one of the few programs in the U.S. to consistently receive the Society for Thoracic Surgeons' highest 3-star rating.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Arrhythmia Center

At the Arrhythmia Center at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, we want to help you understand everything there is to know about arrhythmia, especially finding the right treatment just for you. Our goal is to keep you and your heart healthy.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Cardiac Surgeons Discuss Valve Disease and New Treatment Methods

Cardiac surgeons at MoBap talk about valve disease and new treatment methods, including minimally invasive surgery.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Losing More Than Sleep

Everybody suffers occasionally from not getting enough sleep. But a lack of sleep can do more than just make you feel tired the next day. Chronic sleep problems can be a contributing factor to more serious health problems.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Recipes for Your Health

Tasted, tested and analyzed by dietitians at Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right
Dr. Higano continues to follow up care with Ira.

An Alliance to Save Lives by Saving Time

On Dec. 5, 2017, 57-year-old Ira Schalk began to feel nauseous on his job at a lead mining operation near Viburnum, Mo. For days he had felt tired, but thought it might be the flu. It wasn’t.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Understanding Arrhythmia

We want to help you understand everything there is to know about arrhythmia, why they occur, how they are diagnosed and treated, and what options may be right for you.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right