For many people, cardiovascular disease develops silently. It can remain undetected for years, overshadowed by an active lifestyle and an apparent lack of symptoms.

This was the reality for Robert Cousins, a 70-year-old attorney who has practiced law in South Florida for 45 years. An avid tennis player who thoroughly enjoys the outdoors, he considered himself to be in excellent health.

However, a sudden and unexpected health scare revealed a severe heart condition. Because of an innovative surgical approach performed at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Mr. Cousins not only survived a life-threatening diagnosis but also achieved his overriding goal: walking his daughter down the aisle just one month later.

A Ticking Time Bomb

Mr. Cousins maintained a highly active lifestyle and experienced no traditional signs of heart trouble. He exercised regularly, played tennis hard and never felt physically limited. In retrospect, he realized that what he previously dismissed as minor indigestion or heartburn might have been early warning signs of cardiovascular disease.

The critical moment occurred on a Sunday evening in March 2025, as he was putting out the garbage. Mr. Cousins suddenly felt a severe loss of balance. Thinking he might be experiencing a stroke, he immediately called 911.

Medical evaluations at the hospital revealed Mr. Cousins had major blockages in all three coronary arteries. His main artery—the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, also known as “the widow-maker”—was approximately 95 percent blocked and another vessel was completely blocked.

“I had no symptoms but I was a ticking time bomb,” Mr. Cousins says, thinking back on his diagnosis. “It was like my guardian angel was telling me to get something done.”

Faced with a potentially life-threatening diagnosis, Mr. Cousins knew he would need surgery—the sooner, the better, as far as he was concerned. His daughter was getting married in just over a month. He needed an effective treatment option that would allow him to participate fully in the wedding and its pre- and post-nuptial celebrations.

The McGinn Technique: Pioneering Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

When arteries are severely and extensively blocked, surgical intervention is often the only viable long-term solution. Traditional open-heart surgery begins with a sternotomy—a large incision down the center of the chest and the division of the sternum, or breastbone. While highly effective, this traditional method requires a long and difficult recovery period while the bone and surrounding tissues heal.

Seeking an alternative approach that would accommodate his personal timeline, Mr. Cousins was referred to Joseph T. McGinn, Jr., M.D., chief of cardiac surgery at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and director of FIU/Baptist Health Thoracic Surgery Fellowship. An internationally recognized leader in the field of cardiovascular care, Dr. McGinn developed a groundbreaking minimally invasive procedure for coronary bypass, widely known today as “The McGinn Technique.”

“When blockages occur, there is a minimally invasive option that allows patients to get back to normal life very quickly,” Dr. McGinn says. “Instead of opening the chest cavity, we make small incisions between the ribs.”

The benefits of this minimally invasive approach include:

·      No bones are broken or cut during the operation.

·      The chest wall remains completely intact.

·      Muscles are separated rather than divided.

·      The overall trauma to the body is significantly reduced.

Dr. McGinn has spent the past two decades refining this procedure and has trained hundreds of cardiac surgeons worldwide in its application. Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is now the busiest program in the country for this specific minimally invasive operation, he says.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Surgery

For patients like Mr. Cousins, the primary advantages of the minimally invasive approach are a dramatic reduction in postoperative pain and a highly accelerated recovery timeline. Because there is no bone healing required, patients are not subjected to the strict physical limitations that accompany traditional open-chest operations.

According to Dr. McGinn, key recovery milestones for minimally invasive bypass patients generally include:

·       Standing and walking the same day or the day following the surgery.

·       Discharge from the hospital within two to four days.

·       Return to full, normal activities like driving and exercising within eight to 10 days.

Dr. McGinn evaluated Mr. Cousins and determined he was an excellent candidate for the procedure. On April 15, 2025, he successfully performed a multi-vessel coronary bypass using the minimally invasive technique. By rerouting blood flow around the severe blockages, he was able to restore a healthy blood supply to Mr. Cousins’ heart muscle.

Post-surgery, the nursing staff provided “excellent, outstanding care,” says Mr. Cousins, ensuring he was able to meet his early and aggressive mobility goals. The focus is on getting patients up and walking quickly, which helps prevent possible postoperative complications such as blood clots or pneumonia. This early movement also provides a vital emotional lift for patients, adds Dr. McGinn.

Just four days after his multi-vessel coronary bypass surgery, Mr. Cousins was discharged from the hospital.

Walking Down the Aisle: A Meaningful Recovery

The driving force behind Mr. Cousins’ rapid recovery was his daughter’s upcoming wedding on May 16. When he first met with Dr. McGinn, he made his priorities entirely clear. He needed to be physically capable of walking her down the aisle and sharing their father-daughter dance.

The surgical team took this personal milestone to heart, says Dr. McGinn. This approach to patient care at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute extends beyond clinical success to encompass the meaningful life events of the individuals they treat, he adds.

“I’m not just thinking about the surgery—I’m thinking about the patient’s wishes and getting him down the aisle,” Dr. McGinn says.

Thanks to the minimally invasive nature of the operation, Mr. Cousins experienced virtually no physical limitations in the weeks leading up to his daughter’s big day. Just a month after being on the verge of a massive heart attack, he attended the wedding—exactly as he had hoped.

“This surgery got me back on my feet in time for the most important moment of my daughter’s life,” Mr. Cousins says.

He successfully walked her down the aisle, a moment he described as bringing immense happiness to them both. He also shared the first dance with her, surprising his extended family with his strength and mobility so soon after undergoing cardiac surgery.

“Walking my daughter down the aisle was a moment I’ll never forget,” he says. “We were able to dance together—that was very special. My family was amazed at how quickly I was back on my feet.”

A New Lease on Life

Today, Mr. Cousins is back to his normal routine. He plays tennis, spends active time with his two grandsons and continues to enjoy the Florida outdoors. The heartburn symptoms he previously ignored have completely vanished.

His experience serves as a vital reminder for all individuals to pay close attention to their bodies and seek immediate medical attention when something feels wrong.

“Cardiovascular disease can present in unusual ways,” Dr. McGinn cautions. “Minimizing your symptoms can lead to disastrous outcomes.”

For those who do require surgical intervention, though, advances in minimally invasive coronary artery surgery prioritize both survival and the rapid restoration of the patient’s daily life.

“This technique is not just about extending life but also about restoring the patient’s quality of life,” says Dr. McGinn. “When patients tell me they’re enjoying their life again, that’s what matters.”

Mr. Cousins is grateful for the quality, compassionate care he received at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute.

“I feel like I’ve been given a new lease on life,” he says. “I can’t say enough about the skill and care I received. It was outstanding—top notch. From pre-op to recovery, I always felt I was in excellent hands.”

Click here to learn more about cardiothoracic surgery options available at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care.