York said double-bypass surgery was his only option. The father of five knew he wanted to attend his daughter's Halloween party in Oklahoma City Oct. 31, so the operation was scheduled for early November.

"That following Monday, I went into surgery," he said.

York said he stayed in the hospital seven days before he was released home.

"I feel blessed that I get to live out some more dreams," York said.

He said his poor eating habits could have contributed to his condition. Before his diagnosis, he liked to eat steak and drink a couple of beers each night. York has cut back on red meat and alcohol consumption.

"I have been watching my diet," he said.

York said his energy levels are higher and he and his wife are making plans with their children and grandchildren.

"We always did a lot with the family and now we know we can plan to be here a lot longer with them," he said.

York said he will keep up with regular physicals.

"I'm a real, firm believer in preventative," he said. "I want to stay here as long as possible."

Lance Garber, M.D., a radiologist at Norman Regional Hospital, said he sees about 10 patients a day who undergo cardiac scoring/heart scan.

Garber said the test takes a noninvasive look at the heart through a CT scan. The images allow Garber and his co-workers to assess calcium content inside the heart. Computer software calculates calcification levels and then delivers a calcium score to Garber.

"Based on their calcium score, the patient is put into a category for risk," he said.

Garber said the patient receives his or her results within the same day.

"At Norman Regional Hospital, they get their results immediately and then we give a report to their physician," he said.