During Men’s Health Month, Methodist Hospital | Texsan is highlighting the story of a lifelong athlete whose unexpected diagnosis underscores an important message: heart disease can impact even the most active men.
When marathon runner Harold Lance went in for a routine heart check just two days before Thanksgiving, he expected reassurance. Instead, a lab result revealed a serious risk he never saw coming — and set him on a path that would test his endurance in a way no race ever had.
Now recovering after open-heart surgery at Methodist Hospital | Texsan, Lance is sharing his experience to encourage other men to prioritize routine screenings and to seek specialized care when it matters most.
Lance, 68, had spent decades running races across the country. He had no chest pain, no shortness of breath, and no warning signs. But at an appointment with his cardiology team, he learned his cholesterol was dangerously high.
“When the doctor told me what my numbers were, I felt like the room spun,” Lance said. “I came in relaxed, thinking I’d get a stent at worst. Then I’m hearing, ‘You’re a walking heart attack waiting to happen.’ It was terrifying — because I didn’t feel sick.”
After additional testing, Lance learned the blockage in his coronary arteries was too severe for stenting, and he would need open-heart surgery. Facing a major procedure, he chose Methodist Hospital | Texsan for its cardiovascular expertise and experienced surgical team.
He went home for the holidays carrying the weight of the unknown — trying to celebrate with family while preparing mentally for surgery.
“It’s hard to explain what that does to you,” he said. “You’re laughing one minute, and the next minute you’re thinking, ‘What if I don’t make it?’ My wife looked at me one night and said, ‘Please don’t die on me.’ And I couldn’t promise her.”
In the weeks leading up to surgery, Lance did what athletes naturally do: he trained. He adjusted his diet, walked daily, and kept moving — not out of denial, but determination.
“I wasn’t going to live my life in fear,” he said. “I wanted to walk into surgery in the best shape I could — to give myself the best chance.”
On January 14, Lance underwent open-heart surgery at Methodist Hospital | Texsan, where a multidisciplinary cardiovascular team specializes in complex heart procedures and recovery. He remembers being wheeled into the operating room and seeing a full team ready to care for him — a moment that replaced fear with trust.
“I felt like I was walking into the Super Bowl,” Lance said. “There were people on both sides, focused and ready. It didn’t feel cold or clinical. It felt like a team saying, ‘We’ve got you.’”
Lance’s procedure went as planned, and he credits his surgeon and the surgical team for clear communication, confidence, and compassion.
“Heart surgery is a major operation. My goal is to make sure the patient understands the steps of the procedure, the risks and the reasons why we are doing it.” said Dr. Thomas Percival, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon at Methodist Hospital | Texsan. “They need to understand that this is a partnership between the surgeon and the patient. For it to be successful, we both need to work hard. Harold did a great job. He asked all the right questions and remained motivated in his recovery. His inquisitive and positive attitude will benefit him in the long run.”
Recovery, however, wasn’t a straight line. After returning home, Lance remained committed to staying active, but soon realized something wasn’t right. He returned to Methodist Hospital | Texsan, where additional testing revealed blood clots and fluid around his lungs — complications that can occur following major heart surgery. His care team acted quickly to evaluate his symptoms, begin treatment, and relieve the pressure on his lungs.
“I didn’t come back because I wanted to — I came back because I finally understood I needed help,” Lance said. “That was hard for me to admit. But once I did, I felt supported every step of the way.”
Lance says the days following surgery were some of the most physically and emotionally challenging he had ever experienced. Pain, exhaustion, and disrupted sleep took a toll — but the care team remained attentive and reassuring throughout his stay.
“There were moments when everything felt overwhelming,” he said. “But the nurses never stopped showing patience and care. They helped me calm down, get comfortable, and focus on healing. I’m incredibly grateful for them.”
With treatment underway and his breathing improving, Lance began to feel stronger. His recovery team encouraged steady movement, close monitoring, and rest — reinforcing the coordinated, patient-centered approach that defines heart care at Texsan.
“They treated me like a person, not a diagnosis,” Lance said. “That makes a difference when you’re vulnerable.”
Today, Lance says he’s focused on healing the right way: following his care plan, taking his medications, and giving his body time to recover. During Men’s Health Month, he hopes other men will take a proactive approach to their heart health — even if they feel fine.
“I want people to know you can be strong, active, and still have heart disease,” Lance said. “Get checked. Don’t wait for symptoms. And if you do need surgery, know this: it’s hard, but you can get through it — and you can still live a full life.”
Lance hopes that one day, when someone notices the scar on his chest, it will open the door to a conversation that helps another person seek care sooner.
“This doesn’t have to be a setback,” he said. “It can be a bonus — a second chance. I’m looking forward to being healthy, being with my wife, and appreciating the simple things again — sunshine, trees, just life.”