Wright Mayor Ralph Kingan’s symptoms were uncomfortable, but not especially painful.
He first noticed pressure in his chest when going up and down stairs while
vacationing in Salt Lake City over Thanksgiving.
He saw
Wright Clinic family physician Dr. Laine Russell, who suggested he have a
cardiac calcium scoring screening, a quick and painless outpatient test that assesses a person’s risk
for heart disease.
The test showed that Ralph had heart disease, and suggested a trip to Campbell
County Medical Group
Cardiology, and an appointment with Cardiologist
Dr. Nick Stamato.
Dr. Stamato ordered a cardiac stress test, and Ralph felt the chest discomfort
again while on the treadmill, which was performed by nurse practitioner
Whitney Fevold. Ralph said that everyone was very calm but insistent, and he was scheduled for the
Cardiac Cath lab that afternoon.
Ralph’s wife Jean takes over the story from there, because Ralph
doesn’t remember much about his Cath Lab procedure, or his subsequent
quadruple bypass heart surgery at the
Billings Clinic on January 9, 2020.
Dr. Stamato told Jean that Ralph’s catheterization showed extensive
blockages in his coronary arteries and bypass surgery was his best option.
Jean knew that Ralph’s chest discomfort had been going on for a
while, and he had complained about being tired since the beginning of
November. What really alarmed her was when Ralph said he didn’t
feel like going to work, which she never remembers him every saying before.
Jean praises everyone involved in Ralph’s care at Campbell County
Health (CCH), from the registration clerks to the nurses in the clinic
and staff in the Cath Lab, and of course, Whitney Fevold and Dr. Stamato.
She explained they haven’t always had good experiences at CCH in
the past, and she is eager to tell others about Ralph’s exceptional
treatment in Gillette and Billings. Jean said the doctors in Billings
told her that Ralph didn’t have any lasting heart damage, and they’re
both waiting for him to be released to go back to his job at the Wright
Water and Sewer District, where he’s been the Superintendent since 1982.
“Mr. Kingan’s story is one that we hope for in medicine,”
said Dr. Stamato. “He was on the verge of a very large, potentially
fatal heart attack and through modern technology and healthcare he now
can look forward to a long and healthy life.”
Ralph’s advice to others he meets is: “…don’t
think you are Superman—don’t wait if you have symptoms, and
take care of your health.”
Cardiologists in Gillette, Wyoming
Our highly skilled, board certified cardiologists at the Campbell County
Medical Group
Cardiology clinic are here at all times to care for patients and our cardiac cath
lab allows us to provide care quickly during an emergency. And, we can
help get you back to your daily routine after a heart incident with our
Cardiac Rehabilitation program. Our board certified cardiologists use these and other tools to
diagnose and treat heart problems as the first cardiologists living and
working in Gillette. For more information, call 307.688.3700 or visit
www.cchwyo.org/heart.
At the first signs of
heart attack, call 911. Do not lie down to see if the symptoms pass, or drive yourself (or as
a friend to drive you) to
Campbell County Memorial Hospital. Call 911.