Fox News anchor Bret Baier’s son, Paul, 16, recently underwent his fifth open-heart surgery
The events leading to Paul’s emergency surgery began quietly. While residing in Palm Beach, Florida, a frequent home for the Baier family aside from their Washington, D.C. base, Paul contracted what seemed to be a typical cold. Amy Baier, concerned for her son who has a history of heart complications, sought medical advice as a precaution.
Brett’s wife, Amy, explained, “Dr. Stein, was very thorough and before we left, she said, ‘Let’s do a chest X-ray, just to be sure everything’s okay.’” The X-ray revealed what appeared to be tissue on Paul’s lungs, prompting Dr. Stein to forward the images to his cardiologist in D.C. Several days later, the cardiologist advised Paul to get an MRI. Returning to Washington, Paul and his father anticipated a standard check-up. However, the results were startling.
The MRI showed that Paul’s aorta was almost completely blocked, requiring immediate surgery. Brett Baier described the moment as a “punch in the gut,” as they were not expecting such a serious diagnosis. Paul was scheduled for surgery the following day, with Dr. Stein flying in from Florida to assist the team at Children’s National Hospital in D.C.
The surgery was successful, but not without its complications. Paul’s heart stopped for a brief moment during the procedure, causing panic among the medical staff. Amy Baier recounted the terrifying experience, stating, “I just remember looking at Bret and thinking, ‘We might lose him.’ It was touch and go for a while there.”
Fortunately, Paul pulled through and is now recovering at home. The Baier family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support they received from friends, family, and fans during this difficult time. Brett Baier took to Twitter to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers, stating, “We are beyond grateful for all of the prayers and kind messages.”
Despite the scare, the Baiers are staying positive and focusing on Paul’s recovery. They recognize that they were lucky to catch the issue in time and are now advocating for heart health awareness, especially in children. Amy Baier urged parents to trust their instincts and seek medical attention if they feel something is not right with their child.
The Baier family’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of regular check-ups and listening to your body. Even seemingly minor symptoms can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying issue. As Brett Baier put it, “We got lucky this time, but not everyone does. Take care of your health and your loved ones’ health – it could save a life.”
