From Heart Attack to Heartfelt Care: Mike Miller’s Journey
9/11/2024
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POPLAR BLUFF, MO – In the Fall of 2023, Mike Miller experienced a heart attack, an event that took him by surprise. He was taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center’s ER, where the medical team took prompt action. Roland Njoh, M.D., interventional cardiologist and member of the medical staff of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, placed a stent, and Miller was discharged the next day, feeling “grateful that everything had gone smoothly.”
A year later, Mike started having some discomfort and soon learned he had a 75% blockage in his carotid artery. Hector Dox, M.D., a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon and member of the medical staff of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, performed a carotid endarterectomy to address the blockage.
Mike spent the night in the ICU, where he “was attended to by three nurses who provided care.” Mike added, “They were all incredibly attentive, leaving me with no complaints. One of the nurses, Brett, even shared a firecracker sauce recipe with me, and I’ve been using it ever since!”
Having heard differing viewpoints of PBRMC, Mike was pleased with his experience. “I’ve lived around Poplar Bluff most of my life and thankfully never needed to be in hospitals much. I see no reason to travel to Cape or St. Louis when such excellent care is available right in Poplar Bluff!”
Mike returned for a follow-up and was once again impressed by Dr. Dox. “Dr. Dox took the time to sit down with me and thoroughly address my concerns, making me feel truly cared for,” Mike added.
Throughout his stay, Mike noticed how prompt and coordinated everything was. The IV team was skilled—he “didn’t even feel the needle.” The competence of the staff left Mike confident that he was in good hands.
Mike encourages folks not to wait for severe symptoms. Before the heart attack, he always stayed active, biking regularly and enjoying time outdoors. When he first noticed a strange symptom in his throat, he continued with his routine, biking 200 miles over two months. He didn’t experience the classic “elephant on the chest” symptom, but he knew something wasn’t right. His message to others is clear: Don’t wait for severe symptoms. If something feels off, get it checked out immediately!
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