Bainbridge mayor has unexpected heart surgery

Published 6:08 pm Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Bainbridge Island Mayor Anne Blair is recovering from emergency heart bypass surgery at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, city officials said Wednesday.

Blair, a North Ward councilwoman who joined the council in 2012 and was named mayor by her fellow council members last year, had surgery early Wednesday.

Her family said her surgeon reported the surgery went very well and Blair, 70, will convalesce at the Sacred Heart Hospital over the next several days.

While Blair is recovering, Deputy Mayor Mike Scott will be acting mayor, city officials said.

The mayor was vacationing in the Spokane area with family when she experienced chest tightness and shortness of breath.

She did not have a heart attack, according to her family, but doctors determined she needed bypass surgery to eliminate some blockages in her heart and help prevent future problems.

“By all reports, the surgery went very well. The surgeon said she looks like she’s 10 years younger than she is,” said her daughter, Jessica Blair Magnusen. “We hope for and expect a speedy and full recovery.”

Blair remains in critical condition and in intensive care.

She is expected to return to Bainbridge early next week and from there, her family said her doctors anticipate that she will need a full month of recovery before returning to work.

“Mom’s always been committed to her work. Letting that go for a few weeks may be as hard on her as the surgery,” Blair Magnusen joked.

“To say that all of us were all surprised by this would be an understatement,” said Wayne Blair, the mayor’s husband. “She’s been a fairly healthy eater, walks regularly and hasn’t had any health issues.  It is a good lesson for others to take symptoms of potential heart problems seriously.”