Persistent Cough Leads to a Golfer’s Incidental Finding of Severe Heart Blockages

When David McCormick of Vero Beach went to see his doctor for a nagging cough in October of last year, he figured it was just a lingering side effect from the COVID-19 infection he had earlier in the year. The last thing he expected was to be told he needed heart surgery.

However, that is exactly what happened, and David now says that the dry, aggravating cough he had for several weeks was a “godsend.” It led him to see Diana Ronderos Botero, MD, a pulmonary medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital (at the urging of his wife, Lori, who is the Director of Ambulatory Nursing). Dr. Botero sent him for a CT scan of his lungs to get a better look. That scan revealed that David, who was 67 at the time, had severe blockages in three of his arteries. The lack of proper blood flow due to these blockages was creating shortness of breath and his cough.

“I really do feel lucky,” David says. “To have that much blockage and not the usual symptoms is pretty unusual.”

Dr. Botero referred David to Daniel Wubneh, DO, a cardiologist, at the Indian River Hospital Rosner Family Health and Wellness Center. After more scans and a stress test, Dr. Wubneh recommended David undergo heart bypass surgery. David says he was “surprised and alarmed” to find out that stents were not going to be an option for him because of the severity of his blockages. Dr. Wubneh referred David to James Wudel, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Indian River Hospital.

Because of David’s history of Type 2 diabetes, Dr. Wubneh and Dr. Wudel assured David he was a good candidate for bypass surgery. Studies show patients with diabetes have double the risk of developing heart disease and have a much better prognosis long-term with bypass surgery, compared to other therapies.

David was scheduled for surgery on December 7, about one year after he had entered retirement after a 40-year career in sales.

“The whole staff at Cleveland Clinic made me feel very much at ease I knew I was going to be in the best of care,” David says. The triple bypass surgery was a success.

After spending four nights in the hospital, David was discharged to continue his recovery at home. He participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program at the hospital and within six weeks the avid golfer was back to playing his beloved sport as well as walking a mile a day.

He credits his speedy recovery to “following everything recommended” that he was advised to do by doctors.

“I had a phenomenal cardiac team,” David says. “I highly recommend Cleveland Clinic to anyone who needs this type of care. They have the best there.”

David says he feels he’s back to 100 percent and feels better even than before the surgery. He works out at the gym, golfs three days a week and spends time with his family, including his wife, three children, eight grandchildren and his golden retriever, Maggie.

“I’m so grateful to have gotten that second chance,” David says. “And I’m grateful for Cleveland Clinic. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”