Marcus Johnson, 69, says life as a farmer in Dobson, North Carolina, keeps him busy and active. His farm produces corn, soybeans, wheat and beef cattle.
Marcus first noticed something wasn’t right in November 2023 when he experienced frequent shortness of breath. His symptoms kept getting worse, so he made an appointment with his family medicine physician, who prescribed a blood thinner and referred him to a cardiologist.
Before Marcus could see the cardiologist, though, he ended up in the emergency department at his local hospital. Based on the severity of his condition, the hospital recommended he transfer to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist for care.
A heart failure diagnosis
When Marcus arrived at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, he underwent testing and was subsequently diagnosed with heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
“My heart was down to 15% function,” he says.
Marcus had no previous heart issues before this event occurred; however, heart disease runs in his family.
“I was really caught off guard when my heart was in that bad of shape,” he says. “I couldn’t really get my head around that.”
Marcus’ heart failure treatment
Marcus had three blockages in his heart, so he was scheduled for bypass surgery. However, just before his bypass surgery, he had a spontaneous retroperitoneal bleed — bleeding in the membrane that lines the abdomen that wasn’t caused by trauma or another factor.
Marcus’ medical team did an emergency Impella procedure, which places a small, temporary pump in the heart to allow the heart to rest and recover. Then, the interventional radiology team cauterized his blood vessel to stop the bleed.
After these emergency procedures, Marcus was able to undergo lifesaving bypass surgery to address the three blockages, which corrected his heart failure. He spent 49 days in the hospital, from treatment to recovery.
“It was tough being in the hospital this time of year because that’s when we do our planting at the farm,” says Marcus. “My sons took care of everything and everything is doing great.”
Marcus’ recovery from bypass surgery
As of today, Marcus is free of any medical devices since his surgery went so well.
“Now my heart function is 50 or 55%,” he says.
While Marcus has significantly improved heart function, he’s still working to feel like his normal self again.
“I get tired,” he says. “They said it would take me several months to recover. I’m working to get back to where I can hold down my part at the farm.”
Marcus has been attending physical therapy and taking walks at home every day. Soon, he will start cardiac rehabilitation.
Despite having fatigue, Marcus’ recovery has gone smoothly.
“The occupational health nurse said she couldn’t believe the condition I was in and that I didn’t need them anymore,” he says.
Marcus is grateful for the care he received at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
“It was a great experience,” he says.
Learn more about heart failure treatment at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
