CARDIAC SURGERY
“ My former student told me if you can go to Baylor , go to Baylor . That was enough for me .” – Bill Ruth
MEASURING INNOVATION IN HEART AND VASCULAR CARE
COLORADO TRI-ATHLETE RECEIVES LIFE- SAVING HEART SURGERY
How do you describe Bill Ruth ? A life-long athlete . A coach . A mentor . A Baby Boomer . A role model . A devoted husband . A heart disease survivor . The truth is , he ’ s all of these things .
A fitness fanatic , Bill Ruth was a 12-time All-American N . C . A . A . swimmer in college and later a professional triathlete Ironman , ranked as high as fourth in the world . He also devoted himself to others as a health and physical education teacher for 34 years , a swimming coach for 20 years , and a cross-country and track and field coach for 24 years .
When Bill and his wife Sherry retired in 2007 , the Ruths moved to the awe-inspiring beauty of Estes Park , Colorado . But , retirement didn ’ t last long and soon they found themselves coaching again at the local high school . “ Any doctor that either one of us has ever seen has said ‘ you two don ’ t have to worry about having any cardiac issues ever ,’” explained Sherry Ruth .
In late 2015 Bill noticed a change in his body ’ s reaction to exercise . After positive blood work results , he went out to the weekly fun run at a local hotel . “ I started running with a former student , got half way down the hill from the hotel and was so winded I felt like I was dying ,” said Bill Ruth . “ Sherry took me to the doctor the next day .”
An EKG revealed that Ruth was experiencing atrial flutter and a subsequent echocardiogram showed a bicuspid aortic valve and an ascending aortic aneurysm . True to their educator roots , they immediately began researching Ruth ’ s diagnosis . Conversations with a former student who is now chief of cardiology at a large medical center in Pennsylvania led them to Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital .
“ My former student told me if you can go to Baylor , go to Baylor ,” says Ruth . “ That was enough for me and Sherry , the decision about where to seek treatment had been made .”
Baylor Dallas helped arrange travel for the Ruths , as routine for all out-of-town patients . After evaluation , an interventional cardiologist on the medical staff performed an ablation to correct his atrial flutter . Three months later , a cardiothoracic surgeon on the medical staff replaced Ruth ’ s genetically malformed aortic valve and the entire ascending aorta . Ruth presented with one of the most common valvular heart anomalies . His valve was significantly narrowed from calcification resulting in poor ventricular function of 20 to 25 percent . By replacing it from the base to the ascending arch , the surgeon also eliminated the aneurysm .
J . C . MacHannaford , MD , vice chair of cardiovascular surgery at Baylor Dallas , says that a bicuspid valve is often accompanied by an aortic aneurysm . “ These are genetic abnormalities that frequently go hand-in-hand ,” explains Dr . MacHannaford . Ruth ' s mother had the same condition . “ Patients with a history of heart disease in their families need to follow up regularly with their primary care physician .”
Ruth ’ s spectacular recovery and positive outcome underscores the value of the couple ’ s diligent research on the best place to treat his heart issues .
Bill and his wife couldn ’ t be happier with the care they received from the entire Baylor Scott & White family . “ They were all angels ,” says Ruth . " Everyone from nurses to those in the café to the housekeepers and support staff were warm and caring . You could tell they love what they do and they know why they are here , to care for the patient and the patient ’ s family .”
To watch a video of his story , visit our website at baylorhearthospital . com / BillRuth
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