[3 min read]
In this article:
- Heart patient John Wald was sure that the pressure he felt in his chest while exercising was probably heartburn and not a significant issue.
- His primary care physician at Providence Swedish Primary Care - Downtown Seattle wasn't so sure and pushed for multiple tests. Wald balked. His daughter insisted.
- Not long after, Wald was in surgery to clear a significant, deadly blockage in one of his main coronary arteries.
- Learn more about why care at Providence Swedish is a team sport, and how patients like Wald are supporting the Swedish Foundation to ensure that care continues.
John Wald has always been a man who trusts his instincts. A former technical trainer at Boeing, Wald built his career on careful analysis and methodical problem-solving, where precision and attention to detail weren't just valued, they were essential.
It probably comes as no surprise that Wald also operated in this manner in his personal life.
“Some people say the analyst is your worst patient, and I can see that,” Wald says, smiling.
In early 2024, Wald felt pressure in his chest while exercising. The 74-year-old, who was fit and physically active, wasn’t concerned.
“I feel this pressure, and I feel like I need to burp,” Wald recalls. “I thought it was something digestive.”
Enter Theresa Swank, M.D., family medicine physician at Providence Swedish Primary Care – Downtown Seattle. "She was sharp and on it,” Wald says, admiration clear in his voice. “Some doctors say, ‘See me in two months.’ But Dr. Swank wasn’t like that. She was outstanding.”
Dr. Swank refused to dismiss Wald’s symptoms — a decision that saved his life.
When love means insisting on truth
An echocardiogram and treadmill test revealed concerning results. When Dr. Swank pushed for an angiogram, Wald’s analytical mind resisted.
“I was convinced I didn’t have coronary artery problems. I’ve always been active, watched what I eat, and kept my weight down,” he says.
“I’ve always had views on everything,” says Wald, who continues to lead a healthy lifestyle. “I guess the caregivers were right. Despite my evaluating everything, they were right. When it comes down to it, these medical people know a hell of a lot more than I do.”
Then Wald’s daughter, Anne, delivered the words he needed to hear: “She said, ‘Don't screw around with this. You may think you’re fine and upright and cruising around, but listen to your doctor, please.’”
In that moment, a father heard his daughter’s fear wrapped in fierce love. He agreed to the angiogram.
The moment that changed everything
In December 2024, Providence Swedish Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologist John Petersen II, M.D., examined Wald and delivered news that would reframe Wald’s entire understanding of his health. He required an angioplasty to clear the 81 percent blockage in one of his main coronaries.
The number hit Wald hard. Eighty-one percent. The difference between life and sudden death was measured in a percentage that no amount of analysis or active living could have predicted.
In that moment, Wald learned something profound: sometimes the greatest intelligence is knowing when to trust others’ expertise over his own instincts.
The Providence Swedish difference: care as a team sport
What struck Wald wasn’t just Dr. Petersen’s skill, but the entire ecosystem of care that Providence Swedish had built around patients like him, like advanced registered nurse practitioner Debra Laurent. “She was great,” Wald says.
Each person, from coordinator to rehab specialist, played a vital role in not just saving Wald’s life but in making him feel cared for as a whole person. For that, he’s forever grateful to Providence Swedish. Wald even chose to show his appreciation for the Providence Swedish doctors whose persistence saved his life with a donation to help other patients just like him.
“I’ve always had views on everything,” says Wald, who continues to lead a healthy lifestyle. “I guess the caregivers were right. Despite my evaluating everything, they were right. When it comes down to it, these medical people know a hell of a lot more than I do.”
Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)
The team of specialists at the Providence Swedish Heart & Vascular Institute has access to the latest treatments and technology and the expertise to know how to use it safely and effectively. Call 206-320-4100 to learn more about the vascular care we offer.
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician. You can also connect virtually with your doctor to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual, you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.
Information for patients and visitors
About the Swedish Foundation
Your generous gift helps support a healthy tomorrow for everyone in every community we serve. Learn about more ways to give to the Swedish Foundation or make a direct donation online at swedishfoundation.org. You can also contact the Foundation at 206-368-2738 or email foundation@swedish.org. Thank you for helping us shape the future of healthcare. We can’t do it without you.
Additional resources
A son's legacy, a mother's gratitude
The Providence Swedish Heart & Vascular Institute is transforming cardiovascular care
A scientist’s smart watch detected an irregular heartbeat, which led to a life-changing diagnosis
TAVR was just the right procedure for one patient's "rusty" heart valve
Are you at risk for heart disease? Take this short quiz to learn more.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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