Snorers, Be Wary! Patient Dean Nichols Goes from Sleep Apnea to Multiple Heart Procedures, Finding Healing Care at WakeMed

Dean Nichols led a comfortable life — working full-time from his home office, maintaining his well-manicured lawn, engaging in a variety of physical activities and falling asleep comfortably each night next to his beloved wife. 

"Sleep time got to be tough for my wife starting in 2021 because I started snoring pretty badly. My wife suggested I do a sleep study. I scheduled an appointment at a facility in Cary, NC, and I learned from the physician overseeing my many studies that I had a heart murmur. I was referred to Heart & Vascular – Cary Cardiology – Cary for further testing."

A Surprising Finding

Cardiologist Dhirenkumar Navnitlal (DN) Shah, MD, FACC, confirmed Dean's heart murmur and conducted further testing, including several electrocardiograms, an echocardiogram and an ultrasound.

"Dr. Shah told me that my aortic valve was pretty bad. He said eventually I'd need surgery, and he scheduled me for follow-up appointments every six months to keep an eye on it. I was surprised since the only symptom I had of anything heart related was tiredness with exertion from mowing the lawn. 

"My blood pressure would also go sky high whenever I visited the doctor's office," Dean chuckles, "but Dr. Shah said it was white coat syndrome. To this day, as much as I love WakeMed, if I go into a building that says WakeMed, my blood pressure skyrockets. It's a good thing I'm going where they can take care of me right away when that happens."

In October 2024, Dr. Shah reviewed Dean's imaging and found that his aortic valve had deteriorated even more. 

"He told me that I had no choice; I had to get my valve replaced and quickly. I trusted him. He'd been my cardiologist for quite a while by then, and I took everything he said to heart. I was referred to Dr. Boulton."

Surgery Scheduled at the WakeMed Heart Center

In November 2024, Dean and his wife met with Bryon Boulton, MD, FACS, a WakeMed cardiovascular surgeon at the WakeMed Heart Center. 

"Dr. Boulton was comprehensive and explained what he needed to do, what to expect and about how long it would take to recover. He also advised that I do cardiac rehab following my surgery. My wife and I felt we were in good hands. Admittedly, I was scared to death, but my wife was a trooper."

Damage Beyond What Was Expected

Dr. Boulton performed Dean's surgery on December 4. Upon starting his aortic valve replacement, he discovered a 100 percent blockage in an artery as well as an aneurysm, so Dr. Boulton determined he'd need to make all three repairs at once. 

During Dean's aortic valve replacement, the old valve was taken out and swapped for a tissue valve. The new valve was stitched in place. After the surgery, wires were placed in his chest to help regulate his heartbeat. Dr. Boulton also performed a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). He made a new route for blood to bypass the blocked artery in Dean's heart. The procedure included using a healthy blood vessel from Dean's leg area.

"I went under anesthesia around 9 am. I didn't wake up until around 6 pm. I remember all these people around me asking how I felt." Dean laughs, "I felt like I had a really bad hangover, but I was glad to know I had gotten through surgery successfully." 

Care that Never Quits

Dean started his recovery in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU), receiving around-the-clock, exceptional care. 

"The nurses and everyone were just awesome. I didn't get much sleep because they were on top of my recovery."

A Setback with a Quick Resolution

On day two of his recovery, Dean's lung collapsed, prompting a WakeMed pulmonologist to perform a chest tube insertion to help reinflate it. 

After two days of recovering, Dean went to a step-down unit, and on December 8, he was discharged home with follow-up care provided by Dr. Shah. 

"One of the first things I did when I got home was mow my lawn. I mowed three times with zero signs of exertion. When I met with Dr. Shah and told him how much better I felt mowing the lawn, he was alarmed and told me that mowing the lawn was off limits for at least six months. I needed exercise, so I decided on WakeMed Cardiac Rehab."

An Introduction to Cardiac Rehab

Beginning March 24, 2025, Dean entered Cardiac Rehab in Cary. He had a total of 24 sessions and graduated from the program on July 11. 

"I decided to do Cardiac Rehab partly because Dr. Bolton recommended it, but my big focus was the fact that I'm very athletic, and I liked the idea of being monitored by health care workers while exercising. Since I'd never had surgery before, and this was all new territory, I appreciated the support they provided. The entire Cardiac Rehab team was awesome and easy to talk to. Plus, I had a session with Maggie, a WakeMed dietitian as well as Beth, a WakeMed rehab specialist, who discussed stress management with me."

In celebrating Dean's amazing recovery, Beth adds, "Dean has worked hard to accomplish this monumental milestone. I hope he is encouraged to continue to take good care of himself (emotionally and physically) as well as make time for the things that bring him life and joy, including heart-healthy connections with family and friends a priority. I wish him all the best and many more successes! He's got this. We, at WakeMed Cardiac Rehab, are all cheering you on!" 

Plans to Volunteer and Join Safeway to Fitness

However, Dean's health journey continues. He plans to undergo a procedure for peripheral artery disease at WakeMed Heart & Vascular - Cary Cardiology to prepare a 100 percent blockage discovered in a blood vessel in his leg.

"Once I finish recovering from that procedure, I plan to enroll in WakeMed Safeway to Fitness to continue a monitored exercise program and to build relationships with other individuals who've undergone serious cardiac events and surgeries. I also plan to become a Cardiac Rehab volunteer. After all that WakeMed has done for me, I want to give back." 

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About WakeMed Cardiac Rehab

WakeMed Cardiac Rehab offers a safe, monitored environment where you can gain the strength, confidence, camaraderie and nutritional know-how you need to live a heart-healthy life.

The WakeMed Cardiac Rehab specialists welcome patients who have or had:

• A recent heart attack
• Cardiac bypass surgery
• Angioplasty or stent placement
• Valve repair or replacement surgery
• A heart transplant
• Stable angina
• Heart failure

Patients with ventricular assist devices also benefit from our program.

About WakeMed Heart & Vascular

WakeMed Heart & Vascular physicians bring together expert cardiologists along with cardiovascular, thoracic and vascular surgeons who are dedicated to delivering the highest level of cardiovascular care in Raleigh, Apex, Benson, Cary, Dunn, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Morrisville, Wake Forest and Clayton, N.C. For decades, these physicians have chosen to bring their talent and expertise to WakeMed for its reputation for excellence in cardiovascular care and commitment to providing the most exceptional patient experience.

About WakeMed Safeway to Fitness

WakeMed Safeway to Fitness is a supervised group exercise program for adults who would like a structured, safe exercise experience.

Graduates of a cardiac rehab program, people recovering from certain procedures and adults who just appreciate the security of knowing that a health professional is present are great candidates for Safeway to Fitness.

The Safeway to Fitness program includes:

• Comprehensive consultation focused on goal setting, modifying health risk factors and the individual’s exercise prescription
• Blood pressure and heart rate monitoring
• Group strengthening, conditioning and coordination exercises

About Mended Hearts

When it comes to matters of the heart, connecting with others who offer wisdom and support through past experiences can provide hope, comfort and reassurance.

Mended Hearts of the Triangle is a peer support group that offers members health information sessions and activities. Members can also volunteer as official cardiovascular ambassadors who visit hospitalized cardiac patients and their family members to offer support and assistance.

Our Mended Hearts members are former cardiovascular patients and their family members. Physicians and other healthcare professionals are also members who provide their expertise and support on a variety of topics related to cardiovascular care.

About WakeMed Primary Care

If you have an issue with snoring, don't ignore it. Schedule an appointment with your WakeMed Primary Care provider. It might save your life!