Kim Mulkey reportedly underwent offseason procedure for blocked artery
LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey underwent an unexpected offseason procedure to put two stints in a coronary artery that was “95-99% blocked,” according to a report from ESPN’s Michael Voepel.
Mulkey was reportedly asymptomatic, and the blockage was only discovered by chance. She told ESPN that she first went to the doctor due to a tingling sensation in the tip of her finger, which was diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome.
However, Mulkey also underwent a scan of her neck to check her recovery from a 2018 disc replacement surgery, which revealed a buildup of plaque in her coronary artery.
Mulkey had the procedure in June following the team’s May visit to the White House after winning the national championship.
“You’re awake for the procedure,” she said, per ESPN. “Then they told me, ‘You were 95-99% blocked in one artery.’ And I said, ‘Doc, why didn’t I feel bad in any way?’ He said, ‘You’re what’s called an asymptomatic patient. You’re the ones that can die suddenly and drive cardiologists crazy.’ I asked if I was likely to have had a heart attack without the procedure, and he said, ‘Yes, eventually.’ I said, ‘Will I feel any different now?’ and he said, ‘No, because you didn’t have symptoms.’ And I feel fine, just like I did before. But it’s really encouraged me to tell people that if you can, get your heart checked.'”
Now back on the sidelines, Mulkey will look to lead the Tigers to their second-straight national title and her fourth overall.
Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno
