In the Nick of Time: A Man Contends With His Family’s Legacy of Heart Disease
Jim McIntosh, facilities director at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, takes swift action after a warning sign he couldn’t ignore
Jim McIntosh has always known his family history of heart disease put him at risk.
His grandfather died of a heart attack at 47, and his father survived one at 62 before undergoing a quadruple bypass. Determined to stay ahead of his genetic legacy, McIntosh made his health a priority.
The 62-year-old manages hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes with medication, regular checkups and an active lifestyle.
“I’ve done my best to stay ahead of it, but deep down, I’ve always felt like it was only a matter of time,” said McIntosh, who has worked at Rutgers for 30 years, starting as a carpenter before joining the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) in 1999 and becoming its facilities director in 2012.
A Warning Sign
In early September, McIntosh began experiencing occasional shortness of breath – mild at first, not enough to raise alarm. But on Sept. 5, while visiting a faculty member in New Brunswick N.J., his symptoms escalated.
“I had mild chest pains, my hands were clammy and I felt winded after just a few steps,” he recalled.
Sensing something was seriously wrong, McIntosh walked across the street to the emergency room at RWJBarnabas Health.
Tests confirmed coronary artery disease and an angiogram revealed a 70% blockage in the arteries supplying blood to his heart. McIntosh was admitted to the hospital, where he had to remain until his coronary artery bypass grafting surgery could be performed the following week.
Waiting over the weekend was difficult for McIntosh, a devoted Rutgers football fan. The Scarlet Knights were playing the Akron Zips, but instead of being at the stadium, he was confined to a hospital bed. Wanting his wife, Sondra, a nurse who had been by his side, to enjoy the game, he urged her to attend with their son, Sean.
Texting from his hospital room, McIntosh kept up with his tailgate crew, the “Pickled Knights.”
“Hearing about the win definitely lifted my spirits,” he said.
The day before surgery, he met Leonard Y. Lee, professor and chair of the Department of Surgery and chief of surgical services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, the cardiothoracic surgeon who would perform the procedure.
“Dr. Lee knew exactly how to handle a patient like me – someone who didn’t fully grasp what was happening and was understandably apprehensive,” McIntosh said. “He explained everything clearly and reassured me. I told him, ‘You’ve got to fix this. I have a lot of chapters left to write in this book.’”
The two-hour open-heart surgery involved grafting veins and arteries from other parts of McIntosh’s body to bypass the blockage. The next day, still groggy but relieved, he reflected on how close he had come to a more dire outcome.
Dual Celebrations
His recovery took on special meaning when his daughter Jamie, a Rutgers senior, celebrated her 22nd birthday the day after his surgery. The family turned his hospital room into a makeshift party, complete with sugar-free vanilla ice cream, orange sherbet and ice pops – perfect for someone easing back onto solid food.
A nurse told me that many men ignore symptoms of pain and discomfort, often with devastating consequences. I’m fortunate I didn’t brush off the warning signs. It’s a lesson I’ll carry for the rest of my life.
Jim McIntosh
“We didn’t need cake to have a great time,” he said.
Jamie McIntosh, who studies health administration at Rutgers, said she was deeply moved by the care her father received from Lee and the hospital team.
“It’s incredible that a Rutgers surgeon – someone from the very institution my father has dedicated his career to – ended up saving his life,” she said. “It made me realize that I want to be part of that kind of impact. Rather than go into administration, I’ve decided to pursue a degree in nursing to provide care for patients like my dad.”
A Wake-Up Call for Men’s Heart Health
After being discharged on Sept. 18, McIntosh focused on recovery, taking daily walks, avoiding lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk and getting plenty of rest. He recently completed his 36th and final cardiac rehab session, which helped him regain strength, improve cardiovascular function and learn about heart-healthy living.
Lee emphasized that McIntosh’s quick action likely saved his life. “Heart disease, unfortunately, is a leading cause of death, and coronary artery bypass grafting is one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide,” he said. “We’re grateful that Jim recognized the warning signs and sought care in time.”
McIntosh is glad he trusted his instincts.
“A nurse told me that many men ignore symptoms of pain and discomfort, often with devastating consequences,” he said. “I’m fortunate I didn’t brush off the warning signs. It’s a lesson I’ll carry for the rest of my life.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic approximately 200,000 coronary artery bypass grafting procedures are happening every year, and “72% of the people who undergo them are men.”
Lee said men are more prone to coronary artery disease because of a combination of biological and behavioral factors. They lack the protective effects of estrogen, have higher rates of hypertension and harmful cholesterol profiles and often delay seeking medical care for symptoms, which leads to worse outcomes, he said.
Settled back into his routine with a renewed focus on heart health, McIntosh is embracing his second chance with gratitude – and humor. He is especially thankful to Lee for enabling him to return to the work he loves, which he likens to “running a dentist’s office with 300 chairs.”
“Dr. Lee fixed the guy who fixes everything at the dental school,” he said. “Nothing is more rewarding than helping a student, patient or staff member accomplish something. I’m just glad I can keep doing it.”
