Charles Lambert

Charles Lambert knew that smoking two packs a day for 25 years would hurt him eventually, but he didn’t expect it to happen before his 50th birthday.

Worsening epigastric pain was a symptom indicating that Lambert, a member of the region’s Lumbee tribe, had developed coronary artery disease.

Duke research has shown that Lumbees have a significantly higher incidence of cardiovascular disease than the general population.

A diagnostic catheterization performed at nearby Duke-affiliated Southeastern Regional Medical Center (SRMC) by cardiologist Christopher Walters, MD, revealed blockages, and cardiothoracic surgeon Terry Lowry, MD, performed successful coronary artery bypass grafting on Lambert at SRMC on June 18, 2011.

A postoperative CT scan revealed that Lambert experienced a stroke following the procedure -- a heightened risk for longtime smokers and sufferers of peripheral vascular disease.

After inpatient rehab and convalescing at home, Lambert is almost ready to return to farming corn, wheat, and soybeans -- without cigarettes -- and to serving with the Rowland Rural Fire Department.