As a retired Air Force pilot, Bryan has been stationed around the world, from Iceland to Arizona to Texas. Between flying helicopters to transporting troops to the Middle East in C-130 planes, Bryan has truly done and seen it all in his career as a pilot.
Each year, Bryan has been required to undergo a physical examination, including an electrocardiogram (EKG), to renew his pilot medical certification. In the late '90s, his annual EKG came back abnormal. To investigate the abnormality, Bryan was sent to the Aerospace Medical Center at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
“At the base, I underwent days of testing to figure out what was wrong with my heart,” says Bryan. "They ended up doing a heart catheterization and discovered a 40% blockage in my left anterior descending artery. I learned I would need to have the blockage monitored annually."
In 1997, Bryan returned to his home state of Pennsylvania to live in Pittsburgh and work in the Air Force Reserves. He continued to have his heart monitored annually by both a UPMC cardiologist and his designated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doctor.
“My UPMC cardiologist would perform my annual testing including my stress test and would send it to my FAA doctor. They partnered to ensure my heart was healthy, so I could continue to fly,” says Bryan.
A Full Career of Flying
Over the next 20 years, Bryan’s heart remained stable. During this time, he continued his career as a pilot. He flew commercially for American Airlines for a few years while working in the Reserves. In 2011, Bryan retired from the Air Force Reserves but continued to get his annual medical certification to fly commercially. For the final years of his career, he returned to flying an emergency medical transport helicopter.
“I started my career flying helicopters, and I ended my career flying helicopters. It was full circle,” says Bryan.
After retiring, Bryan stayed active through some of his favorite activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and pickleball. It was in 2023 that Bryan began to experience some unusual symptoms while exercising.
“When biking or going on a hike, I started experiencing a burning sensation in my chest once my heart rate was elevated,” says Bryan. “I was referred to Dr. Bittencourt at UPMC.”
Bryan began seeing cardiologist Marcio Bittencourt, MD, regularly to monitor his heart. Dr. Bittencourt prescribed Bryan medicine and assisted him in making lifestyle changes, including a healthier diet and increased exercise, to improve his heart health.
Bryan’s heart disease was under control until one day in 2024.
Undergoing Surgery to Bypass Six Blocked Arteries
“I was at home, and I started feeling the burning sensation in my chest, but I wasn’t exercising. I knew it wasn’t good. My wife and I went to the nearest hospital, and they determined I didn’t have a heart attack,” says Bryan. “I asked if I could be transferred to UPMC for further care. Dr. Bittencourt happened to be on call that night.”
Bryan was transferred to UPMC Presbyterian. There, he underwent a heart catheterization during which doctors determined he would need multiple surgical bypass grafts to improve blood flow to his heart.
After undergoing pre-op testing, Danny Chu, MD, FACS, FAHA, professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and medical director of Cardiac Surgery at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, performed a 10-hour surgery on Bryan. During the procedure, six bypass grafts were performed to restore blood flow to his heart.
“It was fate that Dr. Chu was my surgeon. As a veteran, it was special that he was the head of heart surgery at the VA. I felt super comforted and assured that he would take great care of me,” says Bryan.
Following surgery, Bryan recovered in the hospital.
“The nurses were fantastic in helping me walk and regain my strength,” says Bryan. “My recovery also fell during March Madness. My care team referred to my six bypasses as ‘my version of the triple-double.’”
After being released, Bryan attended cardiac rehabilitation at UPMC Passavant-Cranberry.
Six Successful Weeks of Rehab
“At rehab, I really pushed myself with the help of staff. I went three days a week for six weeks and came out feeling so much stronger,” says Bryan. “I finished rehab, and the next day, I played two hours of pickleball and did a 17-mile bike ride followed by a fun recovery at a local brewery.”
After a successful recovery, Bryan is back to being very active. He’s most recently gone on a 90-mile bike trip along the Erie Canal and also visited the Adirondack Mountains.
“When I think about my journey at UPMC, I’m truly impressed by the amazing care across the board. I never encountered anyone who gave me a bad experience,” says Bryan. “I set a goal with Dr. Chu that I wanted to get back on my bike, and I can proudly say I’ve accomplished that.”
With his repaired heart, Bryan enjoys life with his supportive family and friends. From going to church to hanging out with close neighbors, Bryan is incredibly involved and connected to his community. He follows up with Dr. Bittencourt every six months to monitor his heart function.
