Coronary Artery Disease No Longer has Him Skating on Thin Ice

Six months later, he grew concerned because he noticed symptoms like occasional shortness of breath. He mentioned his symptoms to his son. Soon after, his son attended a conference for emergency services professionals and took part in a class led by Matthew Earnest, MD, a cardiologist at The University of Kansas Health System. After the class, the young man talked to Dr. Earnest about the symptoms his father was having. Dr. Earnest encouraged Busch to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

"Within a couple of days, I was in Dr. Earnest's office, and he reviewed my previous tests. Two days later he had me in surgery for a heart catheter procedure," says Busch. "It's a good thing he was so adamant about getting it done."

Dr. Earnest and the cardiac catheterization lab care team implanted 3 stents to open Busch's arteries.

"I had arteries that were 99, 98 and 96% blocked. That was a big deal," he says.

Just 7 days after his procedure, Busch was back on the ice refereeing a hockey game. He no longer felt the arm pain he'd been blaming on an old sports injury, and his ankles were no longer swelling.

"I felt like I was 30 years old again!" he says.

Busch praises Dr. Earnest and the team of professionals who were involved in his care.

"They were phenomenal. They eased my nerves and made me feel fully comfortable," he says.

Today, Busch's EKG is back to normal, and he feels like he has a second chance at life. He says he and his wife, 3 children and 5 grandchildren have a lot to be thankful for.