NEED TO KNOW
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John Cantrell, a 66-year-old grandfather, fainted while biking with friends and found himself in the emergency room.
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He had been diagnosed with aortic stenosis but chose not to pursue treatment.
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“It’s a moment I wish I could redo,” he reflected about ignoring his condition.
After retiring, John Cantrell devoted himself to staying active. He enjoyed cycling and took up pickleball to maintain his fitness. Despite being diagnosed with aortic stenosis back in August 2024, he felt unconcerned due to a lack of symptoms and no family history of heart issues, he shared with CBS News.
Aortic stenosis is a heart valve condition that restricts blood flow from the heart to the aorta, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Just a day after his diagnosis, Cantrell experienced a fainting spell while cycling with friends. “I felt really strange, like my heart was fluttering,” he recalled. “I told them I had to go back, and the next thing I knew, I was in the emergency room.”
Doctors revealed he had severe aortic stenosis, which resulted in inadequate blood circulation, causing his fainting episode. He also suffered from broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, and a punctured lung from the fall.
Looking back, Cantrell regretted brushing off his diagnosis, thinking his healthy lifestyle was enough. “I wish I’d been more proactive,” he admitted, reflecting on his decision to bike out so soon after his diagnosis. “If I could relive it, I definitely wouldn’t have gone out the next day.”
Dr. Mark Russo, a cardiac surgery expert, noted the importance of taking such diagnoses seriously. He emphasized that many underestimate the risks associated with aortic stenosis. “Once symptoms appear, median survival is only about 18 months if left untreated,” he warned, highlighting its severity.
Treatment options for aortic stenosis can involve surgeries like biological or mechanical valve replacements, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), as noted by the Mayo Clinic.
Cantrell had to choose between mechanical replacement and the less invasive TAVR. “Even though I was told to consider the other procedure, TAVR felt right for me,” he said.
Undergoing the TAVR surgery in October 2024, he was amazed at how quickly he recovered. After cardiac rehabilitation, he returned to biking and running on a treadmill.
So far, his follow-ups have gone well, and he’s been given the green light by his doctor. Now, he’s relishing spending more time with family. He recently traveled to Japan with his son and grandson, and he’s got a cruise planned to mark his 50th anniversary with his wife.
Cantrell also has an exciting two-week biking trip along the Pacific Coast Highway in California on his agenda for 2026, showing he’s feeling more confident about his heart health. “I just wanted to be back to my usual self and enjoy time with my grandkids,” he expressed. “And that’s exactly where I am now.”
