He thought he was healthy. His doctor found an 80% blockage instead.

A Corpus Christi councilman’s doctor’s visit uncovered a silent threat hiding in his chest

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A routine doctor’s appointment may have saved the life of a Corpus Christi City Councilman.

Mark Scott thought he was doing everything right.

He worked out regularly. He ate clean. He stayed active.

But a visit to his cardiologist revealed a dangerous truth hiding inside his heart…one that could have triggered a massive heart attack with little warning.

Doctors discovered an 80 percent blockage in a major artery supplying the front of Scott’s heart. The artery was clogged with plaque and calcium, restricting blood flow and putting him at serious risk.

A stent was placed immediately.

“That blockage was significant,” said cardiologist Dr. Srikanth Damaragu, who treated Scott. “It was in a major artery, and it could have caused a large heart attack.”

Scott admits the diagnosis stunned him.

“I work out all the time. I take my medicine. I eat right,” Scott said. “And it still happened. What we found out is, it’s hereditary.”

Months earlier, Scott says he began feeling “off.” While on vacation, he developed a severe headache and struggled to remember words, symptoms that raised concern.

When he called his doctor, the advice was simple and urgent.

“Let’s take a look and see if there’s blockage,” Dr. Damaragu told him.

That decision may have changed everything.

Doctors say people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease are at higher risk, even if they appear healthy on the outside.

Dr. Damaragu recommends at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, such as walking or biking, and limiting processed and ultra-processed foods.

“Fresh ingredients at home are much better if you can do it,” he said.

Scott says during city council meetings, he often felt drained. Other council members noticed it too. He chalked it up to stress, long hours, and politics.

Then came the procedure and the difference was immediate.

“I feel better today than I did six months ago,” Scott said. “I didn’t even realize how bad I felt. I probably had this issue for a year.”

Now, doctors say Scott’s heart is strong, the stent is working, and his prognosis is good.

He’ll soon be back on his bike, logging up to 75 miles a week, but with a new message he hopes others take seriously:

You can do everything “right” and still be at risk.

And sometimes, the doctor’s appointment you keep putting off is the one that saves your life.

He thought he was healthy. His doctor found an 80% blockage instead.

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