Heartfelt Triumph: Lorraine’s Unwavering Fight for a Healthy Heart

Lorraine Powers knew she had genetics “working against” her because her father had suffered a massive heart attack when he was 68. But, in her 60s now herself, she considered herself in good physical shape due to her regular workouts. She even learned to surf when she was 65. So, she said it was “quite a shock” recently when she learned she would need coronary artery bypass surgery.

She had been having some chest pain when working out and her trainer suggested she see a cardiologist. She went to see Kenneth Fromkin, MD, a cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital. After the results of a stress test showed cause for concern, Dr. Fromkin performed a coronary angiogram, an X-ray test that looks at blood flow through the heart’s blood vessels. The angiogram determined that there was a complete blockage of Lorraine’s left anterior descending artery.

“To have bypass surgery you really want to have the best,” Lorraine says. “When I did research it came up that Cleveland Clinic was one of the best not only in the United States but in the world.”

Lorraine, a resident of South Florida, said it was an easy decision to go to Cleveland Clinic in Florida, especially since it was so close to her home.

Jose Navia, MD, FACC, Vice Chief of the Florida Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Weston Hospital, performed a coronary revascularization procedure to bypass Lorraine’s blocked artery and restore blood flow. The procedure utilized a hybrid robotic and minimally invasive approach requiring only one small incision to the chest.

“This is more appealing to patients cosmetically,” Dr. Navia says, as it does not require an opening of the chest. It also allows for a faster recovery with less pain.

“My recovery has been amazing,” Lorraine says. “They get you up and moving.”

Lorraine Powers Surfing.

She stayed in the hospital for four days after the surgery. When she got home, she was able to walk her dog and perform some minimal exercise to begin to get her strength again.

She describes all of her caregivers at Cleveland Clinic as “kind, caring and knowledgeable.”

“I didn’t think with this kind of heart issue I could be fixed enough to get back to my life,” Lorraine says. “They gave me a life worth living. I can’t repay that.”