Critical Difference Stories: Heart Care
Read More Heart Care Stories: ---------------------- View all Heart Care Stories Bonnie Peterson: Living a New Healthy Life Gary Arambarri: Getting it Right, and Fast Robert Loughmiller: Stealth Attack Richard Pew: He did not fit the mold of a typical heart attack victim

Robert Loughmiller—Stealth Attack

GET SERIOUS
When Bob stopped at the gym that Friday evening in September, he was determined to push himself to the next level. He hadn’t planned on pushing himself into the hereafter.

Now 64, Bob was looking forward to retiring at the end of the year, but he was planning on staying active; for that he knew physical health was the key. Even though he and his wife, Sally, had been members of the Boise Racquet and Swim Club for 25 years, Bob was never really “serious about it”. But in 2006, Bob and Sally were ready to get serious about their health. Their diet got healthier and the club workouts became more regular; Bob even hired a personal trainer. Bob was now lifting weights and hitting the cardio machines on a regular basis.

I FELT FINE
A year into their new “lifestyle”, Bob had lost 30 pounds and was feeling great. His physical earlier in the year echoed how he felt. His cholesterol was a little high - no need for medication - and his high blood pressure had come down quite a bit due to regular exercising. He thought he was in good shape.

But Bob was at a plateau in his workouts. His weight wasn’t dropping off as fast before and he wasn’t feeling the dramatic fitness improvements anymore - time to change the routine. So on September 14, Bob decided to push himself a little harder with a more intense cardio workout. He’d bump up his weights next time.

It was around 6:30 in the evening when Bob stopped at the club, now nearly deserted. He could see only one other person in the cardio room as he started his routine: 30 minutes of intense elliptical workout. The “higher than usual resistance” was a bit of a strain, but he got through it okay - then on to the stair stepper. He was ten minutes into the step climbing workout - feeling good - when he lost consciousness and fell to the floor.

REACTION TIME
Bob’s fall was witnessed by the person across the room. He yelled out for someone to call 911 as he ran to Bob’s side. In another part of the club, a doctor heard the shout for help and went to check it out. He found Bob on the floor, not breathing and no pulse. Bob was in cardiac arrest. The doctor and the other responding patron began CPR.

The initial cries for help were heard by staff members at the front desk, prompting an immediate call to 911. At the same time, the “girl in the pro shop”, Ryan, rushed downstairs to the small group of people hovering over Bob. The CPR did not appear to be working, so Ryan ran back upstairs and quickly retrieved the club’s portable defibrillator unit. Now kneeling beside Bob, Ryan quickly read the defibrillator instructions, placed the wired pads on Bob’s chest and, with frightened hands, she pushed the button delivering the shock.

Cardiac death occurs within minutes of cardiac arrest. Victims can be saved if treated within those few minutes, but their chances of survival are reduced every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation. Bob was “blessed” to have received CPR and defibrillation so quickly. The shocked worked. Bob’s heart started beating and he began to breathe again. When the paramedics arrived a few minutes later, Bob was still unconscious, but alive. He was rushed to nearby Saint Alphonsus.

The cardiologist on call that evening was Steven Writer, MD, FACC. Testing revealed what had happened and why. Unknown to Bob, he had “occult coronary disease”, heart disease without symptoms and undetectable without thorough screening. Due to his condition, the exertion triggered arrhythmia, an interruption of the heart’s normal rhythm; leading to his sudden loss of heart function - cardiac arrest.

HOW DID I GET HERE
Bob was now in ICU; a respirator tube reached down his throat, ensuring a constant flow of oxygen. He was still out when Sally arrived and wouldn’t open his eyes until the following afternoon. When Bob awoke, he looked around and felt confused and a bit frightened. His last memory was climbing the stair-stepper; “How did I get here…what happened,” he thought.

Sally and his children were at his bedside to bring him up to speed on the events of the last 24 hours. The respirator in his mouth kept him from speaking, so he used a note pad to hold up his end of the conversation. As he listened to Sally’s description of the ordeal, he began to realize how close he came to not waking up. “Then I started thinking about all the things I would have missed,” Bob recalled. “It was a bit frightening.”

LOOKING AHEAD
By Sunday, Bob’s condition was stable, but he faced the possibility of another arrhythmia. Dr. Writer determined that Bob was a candidate for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). An ICD is a device that monitors heart rhythms, and delivers shocks if dangerous rhythms are detected. On Monday, Bob underwent the procedure to install the defibrillator. By Tuesday, Bob was told he could go home.

Bob attributes his rapid recovery to his physical conditioning and healthy diet. He attributes his chance at a normal life to Dr. Writer and the staff at Idaho Heart Care; and he credits his survival to the people in the health club for knowing what to do and doing it quickly. And he thanks God for everyone involved.

Bob has been cleared to return to the gym, but with firm guidelines on heart rate levels. Bob has no problem allowing the doctor to set his goals from now on. Bob may have missed his retirement party, but he’s planning to be around for his retirement.