Second Opinion Helps Mountain Top Man Get Back to Doing the Things He Enjoys

If there was ever a walking testimonial to the phrase “age is just a number,” it’s Joe Konschnik. The 83-year-old Mountain Top resident chops wood in his back yard, rides a stationary bike regularly and drives a van for eight hours weekdays transporting special needs students for Crestwood, Hazleton Area and Dallas school districts.

“I’ve always been very active,” Konschnik says. “Then back in 2021 I started to get tired more easily. I actually fainted out of the blue a few times. I knew it was time to do something.”

Konschnik’s daughter-in-law, Stacey Konschnik, works for a northeastern Pennsylvania health network and recommended the retiree to be thoroughly examined. Tests indicated a need for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive procedure to correct aortic stenosis (where the valve narrows and blood doesn’t flow properly). But the tests showed other problems as well.

The Konschnik family thought it best to seek a second opinion at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

“It’s common to have aortic stenosis with age, but Joe had complex coronary blockage on top of that,” says Ahmed Nassar, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon with Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute. “That would require open heart surgery and at Joe’s age, that can be considered risky. But he was in good physical condition and our assessment indicated he could tolerate the surgery.”

Konschnik was surprised by the diagnosis.

“I had never even been to a cardiologist before all this happened,” Konschnik says. “Here they found my coronary artery was 97 percent blocked. I’m glad I had it checked when I did.”

On Aug. 17, 2021, Konschnik underwent a coronary artery bypass in addition to the TAVR procedure to replace the aortic valve. The procedures went very well and he remained hospitalized for just four days.

Now he feels fortunate to be back enjoying life as he always has.

“Back in 2014 I had prostate cancer and I’ve been able to beat that so far,” Konschnik says. “Now I’ve been lucky again. Dr. Nassar was great. I’d recommend him to anyone who has the problems I had.”

Nassar has a recommendation as well.

“Second opinions are becoming more and more common throughout the medical profession,” Nassar says. “I’ve always encouraged my patients to seek them. It’s important to get as much information as you can and be sure about where you’re going.”