CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Chesapeake Regional Healthcare is marking a major milestone. The health system has now performed 100 open-heart surgeries and counting, less than three years after establishing the program.

Chesapeake resident -- and heart patient #71 -- David Chirico said he thought he was in good health, frequently running and lifting weights. That is, until one Sunday night in June.

“I had a blood pressure spike, and my blood pressure went up to 280-something over 170,” Chirico said.

Doctors later determined the spike caused acute pulmonary edema. After several days of testing at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, they discovered five significantly blocked arteries and told Chirico that bypass surgery was the best option.

“It’s not in my hands anymore. It’s in God’s hands after th

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