Wells scared by mild heart attack
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/11/2008 (6363 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
ROCKFORD, Ill. — Manitoba Moose assistant coach Jay Wells had a scare this week that had nothing to do with Halloween.
It’s been determined that Wells, 49, suffered a mild heart attack last Saturday while skating with Moose players at MTS Centre. The 18-year former NHL defenceman, who’s been away from pro coaching for seven years, figured discomfort in his arm and shoulder was just from being out shape but he did visit team doctors at home on Monday.
When test results came back Thursday, the medical staff contacted Wells here and urged him to check into a local hospital for treatment.
Cardiologist Dr. Jan P. Skowrowski performed an angioplasty at OSF St. Anthony’s Medical Center Friday morning. The procedure unblocks a closed valve near the heart.
Moose coach Scott Arniel said later Friday that Wells was awake and eating a chicken salad in his bed during the afternoon.
“Worried, I’d say on Thursday night,” Arniel said when asked to describe how Wells was feeling. “But feeling much better this afternoon. Wanted to come to the arena tonight.”
That didn’t be happen, of course. But the veteran of 1,089 NHL games is likely to be released from hospital today and plans to fly back to Winnipeg tonight, Arniel said.
“I’m real glad for Jay here, that he recognized this and went to see our doctors last Monday in Winnipeg and getting tests done, and then that somebody recognized that this was real serious,” Arniel said before Friday night’s game here against the Rockford Ice Hogs. “(Moose medical trainer) Rob Milette helped get him to the hospital right away. I can’t thank D. J. (Jones) their trainer here, enough, and their doctor (Dr. J.J. Perez) got him into the hospital right away and he had this surgery the next morning.
“He got great care. This morning might have been a little more bleak as far as emotions go because we weren’t sure what the surgery was going to be. I’m not trying to be a doctor but there were (lots of options). The best thing was that his wife (Colleen) got here this morning and then later I got to tell the players after the skate he was going to be OK.”
The only thing that Arniel could say about the short-term future was that Wells will be consulting with his doctors in Winnipeg.
“The rest is now about medication,” Arniel said. “Lifestyle changes certainly have to happen with heart issues but he’ll get that information from his doctors and he’ll take some time to figure out what he has to do with himself in the future.”
— Tim Campbell