Mike Coomes poses in front of his office at the geotechnical structures lab at Waterways Experiment Station. (The Vicksburg Post/ROB MAXWELL)

[02/05/01] Forty-eight-year-old Mike Coomes no longer worries about having a heart attack when he practices his golf swing or climbs into his deer stand.

“Life’s just been more enjoyable because I just feel better,” he said.

In December 1999, Coomes said, he became short of breath and experienced chest pains while deer hunting. His symptoms progressed during the next few months, and last February, he finally visited his family physician for a stress test. Coomes said he was able to walk on the treadmill for only five minutes 10 is expected of men his age, and a few weeks later, at the recommendation of cardiologist Murray Whitaker, he had five bypasses during open-heart surgery.

“I had a good doctor,” Coomes said. “He really has cared, and that’s kept me going.”

Medical advances in heart disease are made possible through funds raised by local chapters of the American Heart Association, the country’s largest, non-governmental investor in heart research. AHA’s Warren County board will hold its 38th Annual American Heart Association Gala Feb. 10. The fund-raiser will honor Dr. Briggs Hopson, clinical medical director and chief of staff of River Region Health Systems, who also is a heart patient.

“I’m pleased, because as a physician I see heart disease as the No. 1 killer in the country,” Hopson said. “It’s a disease all of us fight day by day.”

Hopson had triple bypass surgery five years ago and is a strong advocate for the heart association. “AHA is the basic marketing tool to make Americans aware that heart disease can strike anyone at anytime.”

Hopson said he eats pelnty of fruits and vegetables and exercises every day, “rain, sleet, snow or shine.”

“I wish I’d changed my lifestyle at 20 instead of at 59,” he said.

Coomes agreed. “Don’t wait until you have something happen before you decide to change your eating and exercise habits,” he said. “Diet and exercise are essential.”

Before his surgery, Coomes said, he ate whatever he wanted. Since the procedure, however, he has adopted a much different lifestyle.

“I haven’t had pizza in a year,” he said. “It’s tough, but once you get used to it, it’s not that hard.”

Along with maintaining healthy eating habits, Coomes uses hand weights, does aerobics and walks at least five times a week.

“I’ve probably only missed one day in a year,” he said. “I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do.”

Since last year, Coomes’ said, his weight has dropped from 236 to 194, and he has reduced his blood cholesterol level from 226 to 160. The recommended total cholesterol level is 200, but heart patients are advised to keep theirs lower.

“Now, when I play golf and bend over, I can see the ball better,” he laughed. “I also felt a whole lot better out there hunting this year.”

Coomes said he contacted the American Heart Association for information on heart surgery, and he keeps a reminder on his refrigerator of diet do’s and don’ts.

“I support it (AHA) immensely,” Coomes said. “I also tell people what you eat when you’re young catches up with you.”

Coomes, a technician in the management support group at the geotechnical structures lab at Waterways Experiment Station, is married and has a 21-year-old son.

“I was very fortunate,” Coomes added. “Prayers went up from my church and my family, and I knew everything was going to be allright.”

The local AHA gala will feature a silent and live auction and entertainment by Super Funk Fantasy, a funk band from Los Angeles. Among the items being auctioned is a baseball signed by Chicago Cubs outfielder and home run heavyweight Sammy Sosa. His two-season home run record is 129, bested only by St. Louis Cardinal Mark McGwire, with 135. The baseball was donated by an AHA Warren County board member, Chloe Thames, co-chairman of the gala, said.

Thames said last year’s gala raised approximately $30,000, and the board hopes to raise about $40,000 this year. Proceeds will go to AHA’s Southeast Affiliate, which includes Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee.

“I think it’s important to raise consciousness about heart disease, and this is just a fun way to do it,” Thames said.