A New City man suffering from 9/11-related health complications was saved by doctors 20 years after the attacks.

Kelly Chambers underwent a triple bypass heart surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital to save his life. Doctors are still looking into the direct cause of the blockages.

Chambers worked around ground zero to restore phone service for seven months.

"It was difficult, it’s been a long journey, but I can tell you I feel so much better,” Chambers says.

Dr. Cary Passik, Chamber’s surgeon, says sometimes these issues are missed for years.

"If he didn't catch it, he could have gone on to have a heart attack or sudden cardiac death,” Dr. Passik says. “It’s important that people recognize the symptoms of heart trouble whether its shortness of breath, chest pain, or chest burning.”

Shortness of breath was what sparked Chambers to get checked. Still, he says he has no regrets for doing his work at ground zero.

He says he feels lucky to be alive after surviving the front lines of a different kind.

Around 3,000 people died on 9/11. The number of people passing away from 9/11-related illnesses has surpassed that, according to a federal report.