At the Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular
Institute, Albert McDonald had three
bypasses and had blockages removed from
his carotid artery.

Both of my parents were stroke victims. Maybe I should’ve been thinking about that, but I wasn’t.

I thought I had a severe chest cold—it just felt like I couldn’t get enough air. Where was the stroke connection? But, my breathing was so bad that day, I got scared and went to the ER.

Boy, was I wrong.

I was flown to Johns Hopkins, where they diagnosed heart failure plus a mini stroke. They did three bypasses and removed blockages in my carotid artery, all at the same time. I couldn’t believe that.

I felt no pain after surgery, and I had no problems. My surgeon, cardiologist and primary care doctor worked together on my follow up. I’m doing rehab three days a week, and am feeling terrific.

It’s still a little surprising that all this happened. I wasn’t a smoker or a drinker. But, Hopkins didn’t waste a moment, and they’ve given me the rest of my life.

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