LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Craig O'Neill has been bringing us stories of people finding illness by wearing the gown for three years. But one story from last year, Craig really took to heart.
Caleb Harris noticed that his biking performance was lacking all of a sudden. After getting checked out, the 28-year-old was diagnosed with a leaky heart valve. He needed surgery.
Craig started to notice a similar drop in performance at the gym and what did he do? He put on the gown.
CHI St. Vincent cardiologist Drew Kumpuris ran some tests to see if it could be the same culprit.
Lo and behold, it was.
"I got a full-blown echocardiogram," O'Neill said. "Heart at rest versus heart after exercise."
Kumpuris compared the images using a computer. He said that O'Neill won't need surgery. But now he knows to keep an eye on it.
O'Neill is back in the gym and has follow-up appointments. But it's his willingness to wear the gown that impressed his doctor.
"Your timing was great," Kumpuris said. "I mean you did exactly what you were supposed to do."