Former UPMC employee and Pittsburgh native Bob Brown is a longtime patient of the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. His heart care journey at UPMC spans more than 30 years, beginning back in 1991.
In July 1991, Bob, then the paint shop and dry wall foreman at UPMC Shadyside, decided to go to the hospital cafeteria to get a cup of soup.
“When I was leaving the cafeteria, I had a weird feeling in my chest,” says Bob. "I walked by a couple of my friends, and they said I looked like I was in a daze. I decided to go to the emergency room in the hospital.”
When Bob arrived at the ER, he was greeted by his friend Mary at the front desk.
“While explaining that I had a quick heartbeat, I suddenly fell and became unconscious. I woke up a week later in the ICU. When I regained consciousness, I learned I had suffered from a widowmaker heart attack,” says Bob.
A widowmaker heart attack is caused by a full blockage of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, the largest artery of the heart. This type of heart attack is often the most fatal, with a survival rate of only 12% when it occurs outside of a hospital.
Brought Back to Life
“After I had my heart attack, I learned that I was shocked back to life multiple times. Following a heart catheterization performed by Dr. Tummalapalli, I needed an emergency open heart surgery,” says Bob.
At UPMC Shadyside, Bob underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. During this procedure, the surgeon uses a healthy blood vessel to bypass the blockage and restore proper blood flow to the heart.
“I spent two weeks in the ICU recovering before being moved to a different floor. That’s when I met Dr. Tummalapalli for the first time,” says Bob.
Following his heart attack, UPMC cardiologist Krishna Tummalapalli, MD, played an active role in Bob’s care. Once discharged from the hospital, Bob continued to see Dr. Tummalapalli regularly and began cardiac rehabilitation.
“As I recovered, Dr. Tummalapalli was always there for me. I went in for cardiac catheterizations every so often and he always provided me with the best care,” says Bob.
Years of Regular Monitoring
Over the next 15 years, Bob managed his heart disease with medicine and regular monitoring by Dr. Tummalapalli. Bob was doing well until one day in 2006 when he began experiencing chest pain.
“When the chest pain came on, I called Dr. Tummalapalli, and he told me to come to the hospital for a catheterization. Dr. Tummalapalli planned to put in stents, but once we got into the catheterization lab, I learned I would need another emergency heart surgery,” says Bob.
Surgeons performed another CABG surgery on Bob to improve blood flow to his heart. This time, Bob needed triple-bypass surgery to reroute blood around three blockages in his coronary arteries.
“When I woke up from surgery, I was in the ICU and had a breathing tube. Since I was an employee at UPMC Shadyside, I knew the president and vice president of the hospital,” says Bob. “I’ll never forget them coming to my room to visit every day. Dr. Tummalapalli and all the nurses I knew too – they would come in every day. It was like a family surrounding me.”
In addition to his large support system, Bob found comfort in his familiar surroundings.
“I recognized the walls of my hospital room because I had worked on them as part of my job. Also, everyone knew that I was a big Elvis fan, so they played his music in my room. It was such a comfort,” says Bob.
After recovering in the hospital, Bob went back to cardiac rehabilitation to strengthen his heart.
“When I first started cardiac rehab, I was so worn out. The team kept saying 'Your strength will come, it just takes time,'” says Bob. “After about six months, I regained my strength and was back to walking normally.”
The Road to Recovery
Another 15 years passed as Bob continued his normal activities. In 2021, Dr. Tummalapalli recommended Bob get a defibrillator as a precaution to help with any abnormal heart rhythms that may arise.
With the defibrillator, Bob’s heart remained stable until 2023 when he learned he would need another stent to unblock his right coronary artery. Dr. Tummalapalli performed the procedure and successfully placed the stent.
“Later in 2024, I was very sick in the hospital with a heart attack and heart failure. I ended up going into respiratory arrest,” says Bob. “I couldn’t breathe, and I felt like I was dying.”
Bob was flown to UPMC Presbyterian to undergo a high-risk, emergency stent procedure which was successful.
“At UPMC Presbyterian, I received amazing care. Dr. Tummalapalli checked on me all the time to ensure I was getting better,” says Bob.
Now, with a successful recovery and repaired heart, Bob is happy to be back to his favorite activities of working in his yard, painting, and walking his dog.
“Throughout my entire journey with UPMC, Dr. Tummalapalli has been there for me and my entire family. He has treated both my wife and mother-in-law. He is the greatest cardiologist, and I trust him with my life wholeheartedly. It’s truly a miracle that I’m alive after all these years, and it’s thanks to him and UPMC,” says Bob.
Bob lives outside Pittsburgh with his wife, Valerie, and is grateful for his time spent with his children and grandchildren. He follows up with Dr. Tummalapalli every six months to monitor his heart function.
Bob's treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
