How One Man’s Heart Scare Saved His Brothers’ Lives
“Get Your Arteries Checked”: How One Family Dodged a Cardiac Catastrophe
When Tampa dad Kevin Murray woke up from emergency heart bypass surgery in 2003, he wasn’t just grateful to be alive — he was on a mission. Years later, that mission led him to push his brothers to get their own arteries checked. Each of them turned out to have advanced heart disease they didn’t know about, and Kevin’s persistence helped them “avoid a real catastrophe,” as reported by CBS News in December 2025.
Kevin’s story is powerful, but it’s not rare. Heart disease often develops silently for years. By the time symptoms show up, the first sign can be a heart attack, stroke, or sudden cardiac arrest. The good news: knowing your family history, asking the right questions, and getting the right tests — like Kevin’s brothers did — can dramatically change the outcome.
Why Hidden Heart Disease Is So Dangerous
Coronary artery disease — the buildup of plaque in the arteries that feed your heart — is the leading cause of death worldwide. Yet for many people, it is completely silent until something dramatic happens.
In Kevin Murray’s case, the warning came only when he nearly died from an undiagnosed condition and needed emergency bypass surgery. In his brothers, advanced disease was uncovered only because he insisted they get checked, even though they did not all feel seriously ill.
The “silent” nature of plaque buildup
- Arteries can narrow gradually over many years with no obvious symptoms.
- Early fatigue, mild chest tightness, or shortness of breath are often blamed on “getting older” or being out of shape.
- For some, the first symptom is a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.
“Family history of premature coronary artery disease can double or even triple an individual’s risk. When a close relative has had a heart attack or required bypass surgery, relatives should be evaluated sooner and more thoroughly.”
— American College of Cardiology guidance on family history and heart risk[1]
Kevin’s Story: From Near-Fatal Event to Family “Health Watchdog”
According to the CBS News report, Kevin Murray nearly died in 2003 from a heart condition that had gone undetected. He required emergency bypass surgery — a procedure that reroutes blood flow around dangerously blocked arteries.
That brush with death changed the way he viewed not just his own health, but his family’s. Over time, he became what his relatives called the “health watchdog” — the one who nudged, reminded, and sometimes pushed others to take heart disease seriously.
Years later, when advanced cardiovascular imaging and artery screening became more widely available, Kevin urged his brothers to get checked. All of them — every brother — was found to have significant coronary artery disease. Because it was found in time, their doctors could intervene before a crisis.
A relatable pattern in many families
In coaching patients and families, I often see a similar pattern:
- One person has a major cardiac event “out of the blue.”
- The family is shocked — they thought this only happened to “unhealthy” people.
- Relatives start to get screened and discover they, too, have high-risk plaque or severe blockages.
- With treatment and lifestyle changes, the family’s future risk drops dramatically.
Kevin’s experience reflects what cardiologists now emphasize: when heart disease shows up in one relative, it’s time for the whole family to pay attention.
Are You a “Heart Disease Family”? Know Your Red Flags
Not everyone needs intensive artery screening at an early age. But some families, like the Murrays, carry a much higher risk than average. Recognizing this early is crucial.
Family history signs that should get your attention
You may be in a higher-risk group if any of these apply:
- One or more first-degree relatives (parent, sibling, or child) had:
- a heart attack, stent, or bypass surgery before age 55 (men) or 65 (women);
- unexplained sudden death or sudden cardiac arrest;
- known severe coronary artery disease.
- Several relatives with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes.
- A known inherited condition like familial hypercholesterolemia (very high LDL cholesterol from a young age).
- Stroke, peripheral artery disease, or kidney disease at relatively young ages in your family tree.
Tests That Can Reveal Hidden Heart Disease
Kevin’s brothers had advanced disease uncovered by artery testing. The exact test types can vary, but modern cardiology offers several tools to detect hidden plaque and narrowing before a heart attack happens.
Common screening and diagnostic tools
- Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score
- A specialized, low-radiation CT scan that measures calcified plaque in your coronary arteries.
- Scores range from 0 (no detectable plaque) to 400+ (high burden of plaque).
- Recommended by many guidelines for selected people with intermediate risk and uncertain need for statins.[2]
- CT coronary angiography (CCTA)
- Detailed CT imaging of the coronary arteries using contrast dye.
- Shows not only calcium but also “soft” plaque and the degree of narrowing.
- Used more often when there are symptoms or particularly high concern.
- Stress testing (treadmill, nuclear, or echo)
- Assesses how your heart performs under physical or chemical stress.
- Can uncover reduced blood flow suggesting significant blockages.
- Standard risk assessment
- Blood pressure, fasting glucose or A1c, cholesterol panel, weight/waist size, and lifestyle factors.
- Used with risk calculators like the ACC/AHA ASCVD Risk Estimator.
How to Talk to Your Family About Heart Screening
Kevin’s greatest impact wasn’t just surviving his own bypass — it was finding the courage to push his brothers to act. Talking about heart disease can be uncomfortable, especially if relatives feel fine or are afraid of bad news. But there are gentle, practical ways to start.
Step-by-step: starting the conversation
- Lead with your own story or concern.
“Kevin’s story really hit home for me. I’d like us to be proactive about our hearts, given our family history.”
- Share specific facts, not just fears.
Mention your family history, known diagnoses, or numbers (cholesterol, blood pressure) rather than vague worry.
- Frame screening as empowerment, not doom.
“If there is anything going on, I’d rather we find it early, while we can still do something about it.”
- Offer to go together.
Schedule primary care or cardiology visits as a team, or share the same clinic to make follow-through easier.
- Respect boundaries, but stay persistent.
Not everyone will say yes right away. Gentle reminders over time, articles like the CBS News feature, or a doctor’s note can all help.
“Most families need one person who is willing to be the ‘nag’ in a loving way — the person who keeps prevention on the radar. That person often ends up saving lives.”
— Preventive cardiologist commenting on family-based prevention strategies
Beyond Tests: Daily Habits That Protect Your Arteries
Screening can reveal your risk, but everyday habits are what shape your arteries over decades. You don’t need perfection to benefit — even modest improvements in lifestyle can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and stabilize plaque.
Evidence-based heart-healthy habits
- Move most days of the week.
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity (like brisk walking) per week, plus 2 days of strength work.[3]
- Break it into 10–20 minute chunks if you’re busy.
- Shift your plate toward a Mediterranean-style pattern.
- Plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds.
- Olive oil and unsaturated fats instead of butter and trans fats.
- Seafood, poultry, and plant proteins more often than red or processed meat.
- This eating pattern has decades of research showing lower heart attack and stroke risk.[4]
- Know and treat your numbers.
- Blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, A1c, and waist size matter.
- If your doctor recommends medication (like statins or blood pressure drugs), taking them consistently can drastically reduce risk.
- Sleep, stress, and smoking.
- 7–9 hours of consistent, good-quality sleep supports vascular health.
- Chronic stress and isolation can raise risk; small steps like walks with friends or short breathing practices help.
- If you smoke, quitting is one of the single most powerful heart-protective actions you can take.
Before & After: The Power of Early Detection
While every person is different, research and real-life stories like Kevin’s show clear patterns in what tends to happen with and without early detection.
Without early detection
- Plaque builds silently in coronary arteries for years.
- Mild symptoms get dismissed as “age” or “stress.”
- The first real warning may be a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.
- Treatment becomes urgent and invasive (emergency stents or bypass surgery).
- Family members remain unaware they could be at elevated risk.
With proactive screening
- High-risk plaque is detected before a major event.
- Doctors can start therapies (like statins, blood pressure control, lifestyle changes) earlier.
- Future risk of heart attacks and strokes can be significantly reduced.
- Relatives are alerted and can be screened themselves.
- A family culture of prevention starts to form.
Common Obstacles — and How to Overcome Them
Even when people understand the stakes, several barriers can make it hard to get from “I should” to “I did.” Naming these obstacles can help you navigate around them.
1. “I feel fine, so I must be fine.”
As Kevin’s brothers discovered, feeling okay does not guarantee healthy arteries. Share that heart disease can be silent for years and that screening is about staying that way.
2. Fear of bad news
It’s natural to worry about what tests might show. It can help to reframe:
- “If there’s nothing, that’s reassuring.”
- “If there is something, we’ll know early enough to act.”
3. Cost and access
Some advanced imaging may not be fully covered by insurance, depending on your region and indication. Steps that may help:
- Start with a primary care or cardiology visit — much can be done with history, exam, and basic labs.
- Ask about lower-cost options or community screening programs for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
- Discuss whether a coronary calcium score is appropriate for you; in some places, it’s offered at a fixed, relatively low fee.
4. Overwhelm about lifestyle changes
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Pick one change you can maintain for the next 30 days — for example:
- Adding a 15-minute walk after dinner 4 days per week.
- Swapping sugary drinks for water or unsweetened tea.
- Cooking one extra home-made, vegetable-rich meal per week.
Your 7-Day Heart-Check Action Plan
If Kevin’s story has you thinking about your own family, here’s a realistic one-week plan to turn that concern into action.
- Day 1: Write down your family history.
List relatives with heart attacks, bypass surgery, stents, stroke, or sudden cardiac death. Note approximate ages, if you know them.
- Day 2: Gather your latest numbers.
Find your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose/A1c results, if available. If you don’t have recent labs, jot that down as a gap.
- Day 3: Book a medical appointment.
Schedule with your primary care clinician or a cardiologist, especially if you have strong family history or symptoms. Mention your family history when you book.
- Day 4: Share Kevin’s story with family.
Send the CBS News article or summarize it in a family chat. Use it as a conversation starter.
- Day 5: Choose one lifestyle tweak.
Pick a single, manageable change that supports heart health and commit to testing it for the next month.
- Day 6: Prepare questions for your doctor.
- “Given my family history, what is my estimated heart risk?”
- “Would a coronary calcium score or other imaging be useful for me?”
- “What lifestyle and medication options could lower my risk?”
- Day 7: Encourage one relative to take a step.
Offer to help a sibling, parent, or adult child book their own appointment or get their blood pressure checked.
Turning a Scare into a Second Chance — For Everyone
Kevin Murray’s near-fatal heart emergency in 2003 could have been just a personal tragedy. Instead, he used it as a wake-up call — not only for himself, but for his brothers. Because he pushed them to get their arteries checked, advanced disease was caught before it claimed more lives.
You do not need to wait for a crisis to start this conversation in your own family. Heart disease may be silent, but the steps to detect and prevent it are clear: know your history, understand your numbers, consider appropriate screening, and build daily habits that protect your arteries.
The most powerful question you can ask this week is: “Given our family history, what can we do now to avoid a real catastrophe later?”
Then, like Kevin, take one small but concrete step — for yourself, and for the people who share your genes and your life.
References
- American College of Cardiology. Family history and cardiovascular risk resources.
- Arnett DK, et al. 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. American College of Cardiology.
- American Heart Association. Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults.
- Estruch R, et al. Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet. New England Journal of Medicine.
