Kansas City, Kan- Richard Purvis, a man with a family history of heart disease, experienced a stroke at 31 due to a 95% blocked artery. Despite bypass surgery at 31 and another at 41, he suffered a stroke in 2024 while working. His coworkers recognized the signs, and Dr. Michael Abraham removed a large clot from his brain.

Richard emphasizes the importance of regular health check-ups, especially for those with a family history. Dr. Madhu Reddy and Dr. Michael Abraham discuss the role of genetics in heart disease and the significance of early intervention.

They highlight that 25% of strokes involve clots traveling from the heart to the brain and stress the importance of a healthy lifestyle and regular medical screenings.

Richard Purvis, Stroke and Heart Disease Patient

• Richard Purvis shares his family history of heart disease, including his grandfather and father dying at 47 from heart-related issues.
• Richard emphasizes the importance of men getting regular health check-ups, especially those with a family history of heart disease.

Dr. Madhu Reddy, Electrophysiologist Cardiologist, The University of Kansas Health System  

• Dr. Reddy discusses the role of genetics in heart disease, noting that it is one of the top five risk factors.
• He emphasizes the importance of early screening and regular check-ups for those with a family history of heart disease.

Dr. Michael Abraham, Neuro Interventional Surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System

• Dr. Abraham explains that most large clots in the brain come from the heart, as seen in Richard's case.
• He discusses the limitations of stents in preventing long-term blockages and the need for ongoing monitoring.

Friday, February 20th at 8 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update:   It’s a kidney donation decades in the making! A man lived his whole life with an incurable disease- amazed to find an organ donor already in his life.

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