When Dave Schweidenback heard in 2019 that he needed open-heart surgery, the news was overwhelming. 

“I kind of freaked out,” he said. “I started going to the gym and working out like all get-out, and I refused to give in. I lasted another five years.”

Dave was concerned about his fatigue and feeling short of breath, and a diagnosis of aortic stenosis — a narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve, which complicates blood flow — inspired him to make lifestyle changes in an effort to avoid open-heart surgery. 

In 2024, as Dave’s symptoms progressed, he sought expert care at Hackensack University Medical Center, drawn by its reputation for advanced cardiac care and innovative options like TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement), a minimally invasive approach to treating aortic valve disease.

“I was hoping they could do it without cracking open my chest,” he remembered.

Pivoting from a Simple Procedure to Open-Heart Surgery

During a meticulous evaluation, Dave was found to have not only severe aortic stenosis, but also significant blockage in one of his coronary arteries.

While TAVR remained a potential option for his valve, it would not address Dave’s coronary disease. To Dave’s doctors, it became clear that open-heart surgery was more feasible, as it would allow both problems to be treated at once. While open-heart surgery was a more durable, long-term solution, the prospect scared Dave. 

“I had been told by a whole bunch of people who had open-heart surgery — or had known someone who had open-heart surgery — what a terrible ordeal it would be,” he recalled. “The first month would be hell. I was totally freaked out. I had to go see a psychologist and talk to him for a while to get my head around having the operation.”

This past February, Dave faced his fears and underwent a five-hour procedure to address both his valve disease and the coronary blockage. He said the day of surgery was a blur, but by the next day he was already up and walking — and feeling relatively pain-free by the time he went home later that week.

“Everybody in the ICU (intensive care unit) was just absolutely phenomenal, and just took such good care of me,” he said. “They were so kind. It was almost like family.”

On-Track Recovery After Apprehensions

Despite hearing nightmarish things about recovery from open-heart surgery, Dave’s experience was far smoother than the stories he heard. He briefly needed a pillow to cushion his chest while coughing, but less than a week after the operation, he was already back in his kitchen cooking chicken stew and taking steps toward living a normal life. After a few weeks, when his restrictions were lifted, Dave could raise his elbows over his head, and after a month, he began returning to work in his garden. 

“I honestly feel like I’m 50 again,” said Dave, 73. “For so long, if I tried to do anything, my heart would just sit me down because I just wasn’t pumping enough blood.”

Dave was so appreciative of the care he received, he was inspired to make a $5,000 donation to Hackensack to benefit its Greatest Needs. His gift honors Yuriy Dudiy, M.D., his cardiac surgeon, the Operating Room staff and the ICU personnel. 

“We are glad that Dave is recovering well, and we are extremely grateful for his generosity towards our hospital,” said Dr. Dudiy. “His gift will help ensure that we can provide the same world-class care to other patients in the future.” 

“I was deeply appreciative to Dr. Dudiy and the staff of the ICU for taking such good care of me. I felt it was the right thing to do,” said Dave. 

Dave had a great patient experience at Hackensack despite enduring an hour-long cab ride from his home in High Bridge for each visit. 

“It was worth going in there because they were just so professional. They also had this level of caring, where everybody seemed like they really cared. That made a difficult situation a lot nicer.”

An Evolving Recovery and a Promising Future

Three months after undergoing open-heart surgery, Dave returned to the gym and was back to working out, including spending time on his gym’s Stair Climber. With his strength and energy continuing to improve, he has his eyes set on his next goal. 

“I’m really looking forward to learning how to swim again. I grew up in the ocean — I used to be half fish!” he joked. “My wife and I go sailing, and we usually dive off the boat and go swimming.” 

When Dave was slowed by heart trouble, he avoided being in the ocean. After a successful open-heart surgery and a smooth recovery, he’s thrilled to spend his summer the way he wants to.

“I’m really looking forward to going to the Jersey Shore this year, and being able to play in the waves with my grandkids.”

To learn more about supporting the Greatest Needs at Hackensack University Medical Center, visit Givehmh.org/HUMC.