Heart Testimonial: Scott Morrissey
Scott Morrissey is an important part of the Tri-State community. For 35 years, Scott has been the Men’s Soccer Coach at the University of Rio Grande (URG) and has transformed the program into a national powerhouse. He has guided the RedStorm to 17 consecutive NAIA National Tournaments, six semi-final appearances (2001, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2016), four national title game appearances (2003, 2008, 2015, 2016) and two NAIA National Championships (2003, 2015). URG Men’s Soccer has also won 15 conference titles and seven NAIA region championships during his tenure. Above all else, countless students have been positively impacted due to Scott’s excellent leadership and determination on and off the field. 
However, in May 2022, Scott had a health scare that could have ended his life and shook the foundation of leadership at URG. On a nice sunny day, he was performing maintenance on the soccer field. After working for several hours, Scott had an overwhelming sensation of tightness in his chest. Initially, he stopped working and went inside the press box to relax and hydrate. As Scott sat in the press box, his condition worsened. He began to sweat profusely, and his arms started to tingle. Fearing that he was experiencing a heart attack, Scott went to a local clinic, where they checked his blood pressure. They told him to go to the ER immediately.
As Scott arrived at Holzer’s ER in Gallipolis, Ohio, his symptoms surprisingly subsided. While he was unsure if he should be at the hospital, he mentioned his issues to the Holzer team, who acted quickly. After further analysis, the staff informed Scott that he experienced a heart attack and needed to have a cardiac procedure.
Scott required a stent, which was inserted through his radial artery or through his wrist. This technique provides a quicker recovery time and allows the patient to be in a more stable condition. “I had 90 percent blockage in one of my heart vessels. Dr. Bradley cleaned up another vessel as well. The procedure went well, and I didn’t have any issues afterwards. He said that I was very lucky,” shared Scott.
Scott talks more about his experience after surgery, saying, “Even though I was in the hospital due to a heart attack, it was a nice experience because of the Holzer team. My daughter, Allison Casto, works in the Cath lab, and there are other employees who I know. Overall, it was a family atmosphere, very relaxed and helpful.”
In addition to being personable, the staff was very clear and precise in their instructions. Scott states, “After my procedure, I had to stay in the hospital for observation. Dr. Bradley was clear in his instructions. He told me that the only form of exercise I could do initially was walk. His clear, thorough instructions were greatly appreciated.”
Today, Scott is doing well. His progression has been positively steady, and he is now able to exercise normally. After his procedure, he was prescribed different forms of medication that helped him navigate his health situation. He had regular appointments with the Holzer Cardiology staff on a consistent basis, allowing for complete health analysis. “We often checked my numbers to make sure everything was okay. Eventually, after seeing that my numbers were in a safe range, Dr. Bradley took me off one of my medications. I still have other forms of medication that I take, but everything is moving smoothly,” says Scott.
Scott emphasizes the importance of getting an annual physical, saying, “I tell a lot of my coaching colleagues that even if they feel like everything is fine health wise, they should still get medically checked out every year. In my case, I was traditionally healthy. I was doing a lot of the right things. I constantly exercised and was undergoing a strict diet, and yet, I still experienced a heart attack. If your cholesterol numbers are high, you may need to be on medication. It's also not a bad idea to get your heart checked out. That’s why it’s so important to see a doctor regularly; they can provide you with as much information as possible and setup a legitimate game plan.”
“It’s important to have annual exams and screenings,” shared Robert Bradley, DO, Cardiology, Holzer Health System. “Health problems can arise quickly. Establishing a relationship with your primary care provider keeps your health information up to date and provides a resource for any medical issues you may need treatment for.”
Individuals should strive to know their health numbers. Blood pressure readings should be less than 120/80 mm Hg, optimal cholesterol levels are: LDL – less than 130 mg/dL and HDL – greater than 40mg/dL (men) and 50 mg/dL (women), and fasting glucose levels should be less than 100mg/dL with an A1C of 5.7%. Preventive measures include reducing sodium intake to less than 2000 mg daily, exercising 30 minutes daily and limiting alcohol to a maximum of one drink per day. These guidelines are for individuals at average risk for heart disease and stroke. Individual goals may be different based on risk factors and should be established with your primary caregiver.
Thankfully, Scott is continuing his duties at URG, which also includes being the Assistant Director of Athletics, Director of Compliance, International Student Coordinator, and partial caretaker for the athletic facilities. Scott says, “I am thankful to be where I am. I have yet to work a day in my life because I love what I do. I love making a difference in young peoples’ lives. It is nice to provide them with tools that help them not only in the present but also in their future endeavors. I look forward to continuing what I love to do.” Scott lives in Gallipolis, Ohio, and has three children, Allison, Samantha, and Brenen.
Holzer Cardiovascular Services has assembled a staff of the region’s most qualified team of cardiac physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff. Using the most technologically advanced cardiac equipment and procedures, our team is devoted to delivering you the very best in cardiac care. Through inpatient and outpatient treatments including medical management and cardiac catheterizations, we offer diagnostic cardiac catheterizations as well as cardiac angioplasties/stents. For more information, visit www.holzer.org or call 1-855-4HOLZER.
