Riding Whole-Heartedly into the Holidays: Business Entrepreneur Back to Work and Family After Heart Surgery

Kevin Sharkey has a full life as owner of Sharkey’s Air Conditioning in Stuart, Florida. He is also a philanthropist: founder of Molly’s House, named for his young daughter Molly who lost her battle with leukemia several years ago. Molly’s House provides accommodations for patients and families while they undergo treatment at medical facilities in Stuart.  

The 72-year-old businessman is an avid motorcycle rider who leads an active life despite what he calls “a few dings and dents.”

In 2018, he had cardiac stents put in to reopen clogged arteries after experiencing pain down his arm. At that time he had been busy with his wife’s medical issues and recalls postponing a visit to the doctor.

In April 2024, Mr. Sharkey began feeling pressure from his shoulder and knew it wasn’t normal. This time he knew he needed to act and did not hesitate.

He immediately made an appointment to see his cardiologist, thinking he needed another stent. But he woke up from a cardiac cath to the news that he needed triple bypass surgery. He underwent an 8 ½ hour surgery at Cleveland Clinic Martin North. By the next day, he was up and walking around the hallway of the hospital. He was discharged after 3 ½ days and underwent seven days of cardiac rehabilitation at home. “Now I’m a member of the zipper club,” he said.  

Mr. Sharkey’s cardiac surgeon, Michael Howard, MD, at Cleveland Clinic, said this was a widow maker – a greater than 85 percent blockage in the left descending artery, which carries 50% of the blood to the heart muscle. “Surgery is critical when you have that type of obstruction,” Dr. Howard said. “He could have had a deadly heart attack,” had he not been treated.   

Mr. Sharkey had surgery on May 2, 2024, fully recovered from surgery, and returned to work at the end of May. It was a life-changing event for Mr. Sharkey — as it is for many patients who go through open heart surgery.

For Dr. Howard, a triple coronary bypass is something he does every day. His cardiothoracic surgery expertise in planning this type of intervention, along with the team of caregivers at Martin North, is exceptional. Mr. Sharkey’s quick recognition of the problem and swift action is equally exceptional – it saved his life. His resilience is admirable. He followed instructions, did the cardiac rehab and is here to enjoy the simple things in life, like family, friends, and a motorcycle ride. In fact, he rode his Harley 1,700 miles only 7 weeks after his heart surgery.

Mr. Sharkey thanks Dr. Howard for his swift recovery and his ability to continue riding and running his local business. “I am very grateful for Dr. Howard’s professionalism,” he said.

Dr. Michael Howard

As a community hospital leader, I’m thankful for people like Mr. Sharkey and proud of the collaboration between Cleveland Clinic specialists like Dr. Howard and community physicians from Cardiology Associates who assessed Mr. Sharkey and made the connections to get him ready for the cardiac surgery he needed. We are all thankful to be able to work together for the good of the patient.

About Dr. Howard

Michael Howard, MD, received his surgery training at Hospital Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. After his general surgery residency in Chile, he completed a thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in Chile and then moved to Cleveland Clinic in Ohio to complete a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship and then an additional fellowship in thoracic surgery and lung transplantation. He is one of three cardiothoracic surgeons based at Cleveland Clinic Martin North. For information and appointments: 772.419.2137 or visit this page.

Rishi P. Singh's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

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