From firefighting to farming, Johnny Wilson got his life back after a successful heart procedure at Frye Regional Medical Center.

For 37 years, Johnny Wilson answered the call as a City of Lenoir firefighter, battling flames and saving lives with grit and determination. Off duty, he poured the same relentless energy into Johnny Wilson Farm, a family-owned 150-acre farm in Granite Falls, North Carolina. But over time, the man who once thrived on challenging work began to slow down.

“Despite the demands of being a firefighter, I had to work hard,” he recalled. But as the years passed, he noticed a decrease in his stamina. “I farmed all day, but then I started getting tired just doing small tasks.”

A significant turning point came when he suffered a blood clot that traveled to his lungs. “I was in the hospital for 16 days—five of those, I didn’t even know I was in the world,” he recounted. This health scare marked the beginning of a series of medical challenges.

As his activity levels decreased, Johnny experienced weight gain and a notable decline in his heart rate, dropping to about 30 beats per minute. “I could hardly breathe,” he admitted. Even the simplest of tasks, like climbing on a tractor, left him utterly spent.

Recognizing the severity of his condition, doctors decided to implant a pacemaker in October 2024. Subsequently, in December 2024, he underwent a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure at Frye Regional Medical Center.

The results were almost immediate and nothing short of life changing. “They put the pacemaker in, put the valve in, and now I can get out and climb up the tractors and loaders,” said Johnny. “Before, if I got on a loader, I’d just give out. Now, I can do the stuff I used to do around the farm years ago.”

Recovery moved fast, driven by Johnny’s determination. “The surgeons did the heart valve, and the next morning, I was in intensive care,” recalled Johnny. “I said, ‘When can I go home?’ They said, ‘As soon as you can walk around the ER.’ I said, ‘I’m ready to go.” Where’s my walker at?’” He was discharged shortly thereafter, already making laps and eager to return to his fields.

Reflecting on the care he received at Frye Regional, Johnny expressed deep gratitude. “The Frye team treated me like they’d known me all my life,” he said. “They’re not just staff; they’re part of the community.”

Now, he shares his story with others facing similar procedures. “I tell everyone, don’t worry. You’ll be surprised how different you’ll feel afterward.”

Faith, too, played a role in Johnny’s recovery. “I believe the Lord had a big part in this,” he stated. “He put me with the right people at the right time.” With renewed energy, a grateful heart and a return to the life he loves, Johhny doesn’t take a single moment for granted. “I probably wouldn’t be in the world much longer if I hadn’t done that. That’s the truth.”

Frye Regional Medical Center is committed to ensuring that every patient receives quality care and comfort regardless of health concerns. To find a provider, visit FryeMedCenter.com or call 828.315.3391.