How a Routine Checkup Saved My Life: Bob Hollis’ Story of Heart Health and Hope
We recently spoke with Bob Hollis, a local business owner and board member of Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center (CVRMC). At 60 years old, Bob never imagined he would be sharing a personal story about how the hospital’s CATH Lab saved his life.
Bob originally visited CVRMC to see Dr. Mazhar regarding occasional episodes of an elevated heart rate. After undergoing a Calcium CT scan, he followed up with Dr. Mazhar, who asked if he had been experiencing any heart-related issues. Initially, Bob didn’t think so. However, he recalled feeling chest pressure while walking around at his 13-year-old son’s baseball tournament in Las Vegas—something he had dismissed as insignificant.
Dr. Mazhar immediately recognized the need for urgent care and recommended that Bob undergo an angiogram that same day. Although Bob was hesitant, he ultimately decided to follow the doctor’s advice and clear his schedule for the procedure.
“He’s an amazing physician,” Bob said. “He told me, ‘If the angiogram shows nothing, you’re in there for 30 minutes, recover for a couple of hours, and then go home.’”
However, what was expected to be a short procedure turned into a two-hour intervention. The angiogram revealed two significant blockages—one at 70% and another at 99%. Bob’s condition was far more serious than he had realized.
“It literally saved my life,” Bob said. “Dr. Mazhar told me, ‘You were going to have a heart attack, and it wasn’t going to be good… something bad was going to happen soon with a 99% blockage.’”
Throughout the procedure, Bob felt reassured by the expertise of the CATH Lab team. Since angiograms do not require full anesthesia, he was able to communicate with his doctor and recall portions of the procedure. Afterward, he was met by his wife and spent the night at the hospital for observation. By the next morning, he felt perfectly fine—so much so that he even went to work. During the procedure, Bob received two stents that restored proper blood flow to his heart.
Bob’s message to others is clear: prioritize your heart health. “Go get checked out by your doctor if you haven’t already,” he urges. “There are tests cardiologists can do to make sure your heart and arteries are healthy. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”
- Checking cholesterol and blood pressure
- Stress test and echocardiogram to assess heart function
- CT scan for a calcium score to detect early signs of artery blockage
- Evaluation of risk factors such as diabetes or family history
- Heart catheterization (if needed) to check for blockages
Prevention is key! Even if you feel healthy, a heart checkup could be life-saving. Bob closed with heartfelt gratitude: “I’d like to thank the entire CATH Lab team, Dr. Mazhar, and Dr. Memon’s office. They’re amazing.”
At Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center, we are committed to providing life-saving care close to home. If you’re 40 or older, consider scheduling a heart screening today—it could make all the difference.
Cardiovascular Associates of Arizona
5882 S. Hospital Drive
Globe, Arizona 85501
928-793-3747
Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center
928-402-1212
