Novant Health hosts heart disease conference, patient shares his story

NEW HANOVER, NC (WWAY) — Novant Health’s Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Conference kicking off in Wrightsville Beach this week, giving doctors the opportunity to share ideas and learn about new treatments.  

Cardiologist William Smith said the conference showcases the cutting edge of new technologies.  

“A lot of the things we’re learning about here are some of the advanced therapies that we can deliver after somebody has disease,” Smith said. “However, screening, which is identifying disease before it becomes manifest is also very important.”  

According to the American Heart Association, more than 127 million adults in the US live with cardiovascular disease, which encompasses a wide variety of heart conditions. A recent report estimates it will affect more than 60% of Americans by 2050.  

One of those Americans is Paul Jefferys.  

Jefferys said one day he felt some minor chest pain and decided to go to the hospital. After his symptoms subsided on the way there, he chose to turn around. He said not long after, he realized that was a mistake.  

“I was telling myself that ‘well, I know I’m having some heart attack symptoms, but I think I’m having maybe COVID and it’s mimicking the signs of a heart attack. But by the time I decided I had to get myself to the emergency room, it was obvious that I was in trouble,” Jefferys recalled. 

Doctors discovered Jefferys had a complete blockage in the largest artery leading into his heart—known as the Left Anterior Descending Artery—meaning he was moments away from a severe heart attack.

Jefferys chose to share his story at the conference to highlight the importance of routine heart screenings.

Dr. Smith noted there isn’t an exact age that you should start getting screenings, but that there are some risk factors to keep in mind.  

“At a more advanced age with risk factors, certain risk factors such as a smoking history, very high cholesterol, a family history,” Smith said. 

Jefferys said since his scare, he’s started walking four miles a day, making exercise a part of his routine.  

“I owe it to myself and my family, my employer and insurance carrier to stay in the best health I possibly can,” Jefferys said.