He made his brothers get their arteries checked. Each had advanced heart disease.

Updated on: December 13, 2025 / 8:28 AM EST / CBS News

He made his brothers get their arteries checked. Each had advanced heart disease.

TL;DR

  • Kevin Murray, who had bypass surgery in 2003, encouraged his brother Patrick to get a cardiac CT scan due to a family history of heart disease.
  • Patrick's scan revealed significant arterial blockages, leading to emergency open-heart surgery.
  • All four of Kevin's brothers were subsequently diagnosed with advanced heart disease and required surgery.
  • Dr. Mark Russo highlights family history as a major risk factor and recommends discussing monitoring with a doctor.
  • Dr. Alberto Morales uses the Arineta's SpotLight cardiovascular CT scanner, which images the heart in seconds and is noninvasive.
  • The cardiac CT scan, similar to a mammogram for the heart, allows for early detection of disease by visualizing blockages and calcium scores.
  • About 80% of patients seen by Dr. Morales have no symptoms but are diagnosed with heart disease via the CT scan.
  • Treatment for detected heart disease includes medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes preventative procedures.
  • The Murray brothers are grateful for the technology that identified their conditions and allowed for successful treatment.
  • Kevin Murray advocates for cardiac CT scans and educates his son and nephews about their genetic risks.