Pilot Credits Franciscan Health Heart Center Indianapolis

In 2005, Scott Bishop was a fit, 32-year-old helicopter pilot for the Indianapolis Metro Police Department, training to compete in an Ironman Triathlon.

During his training, he was annoyed by continuous acid reflux, but didn’t think much of it. At the urging of his wife, he went to his family doctor to have it checked out.

A small abnormality was found during an electrocardiogram (EKG), prompting a stress test at Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians.

In the few minutes it took him to drive home, Bishop received a message to call the doctor immediately regarding the test results. The team at IHP performed a heart catheterization and discovered Bishop had about 90% blockage of his arteries and would need a quadruple bypass.

“It was eye opening and a learning experience for everybody, especially my family, friends and those I worked with on the police force,” Bishop said. “Heart disease can affect people from every walk of life and fitness level.”

Becoming One Of The First Patients At Franciscan Health Heart Center

Surgery was scheduled a few days after the diagnosis, and Bishop became one of the first patients at Franciscan Health Heart Center Indianapolis, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

“Those few days before surgery were a very stressful time,” Bishop said. “My wife was pregnant with our daughter, and she was stressed. I have a family history dating back to great grandfathers of high cholesterol, but I am the first one in the genealogy to have something substantial especially at such a young age.”

Recovery And Resilience After A Quadruple Bypass

Bishop was out of the cockpit for about six months after his surgery. He worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration to regain medical compliance to continue as a helicopter pilot.

Bishop again began training for an Ironman Triathlon in 2008 but was delayed after he was hit by a car and dislocated his hip. Not to be deterred, he completed an Ironman in October 2009 with a time of 12 hours, 11 minutes and 44 seconds.

“The Ironman was a bucket list item and something that I was really into at the time,” Bishop said. “I have since given up the distance stuff, but I have still done a 5K and some swimming events. I still go to the gym six days a week.”

Keeping Up With Your Well-Being Is A Lifesaver

Bishop, who began his career in the U.S. Navy jumping out of helicopters, stressed the importance of having regular checkups and screenings, no matter your age.

“Keeping up with your well-being is a lifesaver,” Bishop said. “I know that if I had not been in tune with my body and been frustrated by something that I thought was very small in nature, I probably would not be here.”

Thankful To Staff Across Franciscan Health

He credits the team at Franciscan Health Indianapolis, Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians and the Heart Center for saving his life and allowing him to accomplish all that he has over the last two decades.

“I remember when I woke up from surgery, the nurses who took care of me from that minute until I left the hospital were amazing,” Bishop said. “The type of care and level of care at Franciscan was fantastic. I still to this day think about them and what they did for me and am very thankful.”