“Dr. Fox saved my life. I’ve already recommended him and RWJUH Hamilton to so many of my friends and family. Hopefully, my story will instill confidence in others not to wait, to pay attention to the symptoms, and to seek medical attention immediately.”
After an impressive 40-year career as a law enforcement officer and criminal investigator, local area resident, Thomas Flannigan, will be the first to tell you he doesn’t trust many people.
But when Thomas, age 70 and now retired, began experiencing shortness of breath and tightness in his chest during simple daily tasks, he trusted the care of his longtime cardiologist, Justin M. Fox, MD. Dr. Fox is a cardiologist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, and member of Hamilton Cardiology Associates.
Upon hearing Thomas’s symptoms and examining him further, Dr. Fox quickly scheduled Thomas for a procedure at RWJUH Hamilton’s Cardiac Catherization Laboratory to determine if there were any blockages in the arteries carrying blood to his heart.
“As an investigator, I always ask 1000 questions. It’s just in my build,” says Thomas. “Dr. Fox and the staff at RWJUH Hamilton were very caring and knowledgeable the entire time. I had a clear picture of what I was getting into and felt informed and reassured throughout the entire process.”
Thomas shared Dr. Fox discovered Thomas had a 90% blockage in the left anterior descending artery, the blood vessel sometimes referred to as the ‘widow maker.”. Through a procedure referred to as elective angioplasty, Dr. Fox quickly inserted a balloon to open up the blockage and then placed a stent to keep the artery open. “When they blew up the balloon, I immediately felt a sense of relief,” Thomas says.
Thomas arrived at RWJUH Hamilton’s newly renovated Cardiac Interventional Suite, pre and post-operative, and says he felt like the only patient in the hospital. “The nurses and staff were very respectful and kind to my family. It felt like they really cared about you.”
“I’m so pleased that Thomas had such a smooth experience at the hospital around the time of his procedure. Working closely with hospital administration, my colleagues and I at Hamilton Cardiology Associates have put a lot of effort into developing and streamlining the cardiac program at RWJUH Hamilton. It’s clearly paying off for our patients. In partnership with the hospital, we can offer all aspects of cardiovascular testing and treatment, ranging from the emergency care for those having a heart attack, to elective angioplasty like in Thomas’ case, to screening tests such as Coronary Calcium Scoring for those at risk for heart disease. It’s been very rewarding to provide all of this care locally to serve the needs of our patients”
Two months later, Thomas continues the recovery process through bi-weekly appointments with RWJUH Hamilton’s outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Known as “Cardiac Rehab,” this program helps patients who have cardiovascular disease or are recovering from heart surgery or a cardiac procedure through medically supervised lifestyle and exercise. The program also provides patients with education and counseling services that can help reduce the risk of future heart problems.
Thomas plans to return to his normal life, but with a renewed focus on his heart health, including a balanced diet, rest, exercise, regular doctor visits, and reducing stress so he can enjoy his family and retirement for many years to come.
“Dr. Fox saved my life,” Thomas says, “I’ve already recommended him and RWJUH Hamilton to so many of my friends and family. Hopefully, my story will instill confidence in others not to wait, to pay attention to the symptoms, and to seek medical attention immediately.”
To learn more about heart and vascular care at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton or to schedule an appointment with one of New Jersey’s top cardiac specialists call 888-724-7123.