Local Man’s Life Saved by Heart Calcium Scan
March 24, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, Texas – On April 10, the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation will hold
Man Bingo to raise funds for another year of providing free heart calcium scans for qualifying Hopkins County men.
One of the Foundation Board of Directors members shared his own story of how this scan saved his life. In 2021, Brad Johnson went in for his annual physical, and at the recommendation of his primary care provider, Dr. Bridgette Coker, he decided to get a heart calcium scan.
Brad had normal blood pressure, no family history of heart issues, and no reason to believe anything would be wrong with his heart. However, his results revealed he had an ascending aortic aneurysm, a life-threatening condition where the main artery in the body can rupture and cause severe internal bleeding.
Ruptures typically happen when an aneurysm reaches 5 centimeters, and Brad’s was already at 5.7.
When asked what his initial reaction was to this news, Brad remarked, “I wasn’t ready for someone to tell me I should be dead, and neither was my family.”
Brad was quickly referred to a cardiologist who after only a 4-minute examination, easily determined that Brad would need surgery to replace his aortic valve. Brad, being an active family man and Aggie through and through, told his surgeon he wanted to be able to make it to his next family reunion and also get the most out of his Texas A&M football season tickets. His surgery was set right between his family reunion at the Frio River and the start of the Aggie football season.
Brad was able to return home from surgery after 4 days, but soon thereafter, his heart began experiencing tachycardia with over 150 BPM. His surgeon was prepared, as such reactions are not uncommon when the heart is adjusting to a new valve, and he instructed Brad to go to CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Sulphur Springs ER. The staff was able to regulate Brad’s heart rate, and he has been the picture of health since.
Being the proud father of three daughters who showed pigs in the Junior Livestock Show for a collective 20 years, Brad’s only complaint is that his surgeon had to use a cow valve instead of a pig valve. He worked another year at his job post-surgery before deciding to retire to start spending more time with his family and doing the things he loves.
Brad is now a firm believer in preventative care, especially heart calcium scans. He advised, “Make it part of your annual physical because you just never know.”
The Foundation is grateful for Brad as both a board member and community champion of heart health. We hope his story inspires all readers take the advice of their physicians and be proactive.
Proceeds of the Foundation’s Man Bingo (Mingo) will fund a free clinic providing heart calcium scans for both uninsured and insured Hopkins County men. Men between the ages of 40 and 60 with one or more preexisting conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, current smokers, or family history of heart disease qualify for free testing.
Please consider supporting this clinic by sponsoring or attending Mingo April 10. The Foundation also accepts donations of any amount. Visit Mingo2025.GiveSmart.com to complete all transactions online. Follow the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation on social media to be the first to know when clinic sign-ups are announced. For more information, email [email protected] or call (903) 438-4799.
