A Life-Saving Discovery at Bowmanville Hospital

In 2019, Newcastle resident Kas Watroba went to Bowmanville Hospital expecting treatment for a serious urinary tract infection. He had no idea that the visit would uncover a life-threatening heart condition, and may ultimately have saved his life. 

Kas’ family doctor had sent him to the hospital after bloodwork showed he had a significant infection. While he was being treated with an IV, a nurse noticed something that needed a closer look. 

Further testing revealed elevated troponin, a sign that something could be wrong with his heart. What started as a visit for an infection quickly took Kas on an unexpected journey. 

He was transferred to a Toronto-area hospital, where doctors discovered four blockages in his heart. Kas would need open-heart surgery and a quadruple bypass. 

“It was a huge surprise,” Kas says. He had no symptoms and no idea anything was wrong. 

The surgery ultimately prevented what doctors told him could have been a major heart attack within three years. For Kas, it all started with that first visit to Bowmanville Hospital and a care team that took the extra step to investigate.

“From the beginning, they were very caring,” he says. “They were looking after me non-stop.”

Having lived in Newcastle for the past eight years, Kas has seen how much the community has grown. He believes that growth makes a strong local hospital more important than ever.

Kas is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, who have made supporting Bowmanville Hospital a priority. As a community organization, they are committed to giving back and supporting the community they call home.

For Kas, that support is personal. His journey began at Bowmanville Hospital with what seemed like a routine visit. Instead, it led to a discovery that just may have saved his life.