Kern, I myself used to wonder or think along those lines until my wife had a 4 way bypass plus mitral valve repair at 63I've heard of this before and wonder how it can get this bad without a person having any warning signs.
This is NOT in any way meant to disrespect you or your wife.
I just wonder if the people live fairly sedate lives and don't exert themselves much so the blockage never reveals itself with fatigue, dizziness or heart palpitations.
Glad it worked out for you two.
She was 110 / 120 lbs and go go go, push mowing , hedge timing, still working with her own cleaning business. No smoke , ate pretty healthy .