HOLLAND, Mich. — James Rozeboom is an active man at 92 years old. He plays harmonica in a gospel band, and tours senior living homes giving sermons every month.
"I like it because I like hymns," said Rozeboom. "I can play the old hymns and they’re kind of fading out."
However, last year, he was forced to slow down.
"All of a sudden I went to bed on a Saturday night," said Rozeboom, "and I got, not what you’d think is chest pain, just pressure."
His family convinced him to go to the doctor. Which was good, as they found blockages in his arteries.
"They told me it was serious, but I didn't feel that sick," said Rozeboom.
Typically, treatment for blockages is done with open heart bypass surgery. However, at his age, he was considered high risk.
He opted to try medication to manage his symptoms. It did not go very well.
"I noticed it was when I carried my equipment in for the gospel band," said Rozeboom. "I’d get halfway and I’d get pressure in my chest."
So, back to the hospital. His doctor, Kevin Wolschleger, an interventional cardiologist at Corewell Health, suggested a procedure to remove the blockages using the Impella heart pump.
"We have a device here that that we placed through the groin into the heart, that helps the heart pump, while we're working," said Wolschleger. "Allows us to take the time that we can that need to fix this."
Dr. Wolschleger said they broke up the blockage using a diamond-tipped burr and shockwaves before putting in stents. This was done without surgery.
"What is too old?" asked Wolschleger.
For Rozeboom, the procedure made all the difference. He is back playing in his band and feeling well.
"I feel right now as I did all my life," said Rozeboom. "I’m amazed at the transformation."
Sure, he spends some more time in his "easy chair" than he did before, but he is back to doing what he loves.
He wants others to know a heart attack can feel different for different people. He says he only ever felt pressure, not extreme pain, and may not have had it checked out without encouragement from others.
"Only a few times I felt any pain," said Rozeboom. "It’s the pressure that builds up in there. And you might not recognize it. The education needs to be to people it’s not just severe chest pain, it could be, but not necessarily."
February is American Heart Month, motivating Americans to make healthy lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease.
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