Horace Chang says routine checks led to triple bypass surgery despite no symptoms

National Security Minister Horace Chang says he is recovering well after open-heart surgery in Jamaica, a medical episode he said forced him to think seriously about mortality despite having no symptoms before doctors found the problem.

Chang said he felt “very good” and praised the University Hospital system, including doctors, intensive care staff and physiotherapists, for what he described as excellent care. He said the public was first told he would undergo elective surgery because the issue had been discovered through routine checks, not through chest pain, shortness of breath or other warning signs.

The minister said an abnormal electrocardiogram had been identified about 12 years ago, after which he continued regular reviews with his cardiologist, Dr Lewis. He also said a review at a cardiac institute in Toronto confirmed similar advice. A later angiogram showed what initially appeared to be a partial blockage that might have been treated with a stent.

Chang said further examination by Dr Elliott, an interventional cardiologist, showed that the problem was more serious: three blockages that could not be stented and required bypass surgery. He said that was the point when the situation changed emotionally, even though he trusted the competence of Jamaican medical teams and chose to have the operation locally rather than overseas.

As a physician, Chang said understanding the risks did not necessarily make the experience easier. He said the moment he was told surgery was unavoidable reminded him of his mortality, while also making him consider his family, the Cabinet and the Ministry of National Security.

He spent just over two weeks in hospital and said the early recovery involved intense pain, followed by three months of rehabilitation. Chang said he is still doing rehab as his body continues to heal.

He credited his wife, daughter Melissa, son, close companion Mr Brown, friends, doctors and Prime Minister Andrew Holness for support. Chang said Holness kept Cabinet colleagues informed while encouraging them not to disturb his rest.

Chang said he does not believe public life caused the condition, noting that he had remained active, kept a disciplined diet and had no major symptoms before the diagnosis. He said he now eats with moderation because of food intolerances.