When Justine Carter stepped on the treadmill fast energy and momentum last May, he never thought it would lead to his near death.
The 33-year-old Utah mother was fit and healthy – but 12 minutes into his journey, he began to experience shortness of breath and back pain that radiated to his chest.
When that was followed by severe vomiting, Carter thought he had a bad stomach flu.
SOY MILK MAY LOWER HEART DISEASE RISKS, RESEARCH SHOWS
“That’s when things get a little murky,” he told Fox News Digital during an interview.
Justine Carter (left) suffered a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) while on the treadmill. right, he reunites with the EMS team that saved his life at HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital. (Justine Carter)
Carter called her husband and her mother-in-law, but she doesn’t remember the conversations.
“The next thing I know, I woke up in the hospital.”
Her husband and mother-in-law found her in the bathroom, where Carter appeared to be having a seizure and was breathing slowly.
SLEEPING LONGER ON WEEKENDS CAN REDUCE RISK OF HEART DISEASE BY 20%, RESEARCH FINDS.
His mother-in-law, Teresa Carter – a nurse at HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital in Payson, Utah – kept him alive with CPR until then. emergency medical services he arrived.
For 25 minutes, Carter’s heart did not beat, and blood was circulating in his body only through CPR.
“Everything was terrible,” Teresa Carter told Fox News Digital during the same interview.
Justine Carter and her husband, Kevin Carter, were photographed while recovering in the hospital. (Justine Carter)
“He had what we call a ‘tombstone rhythm’ on the machine he tells us he was like heart attackand that his heart muscles were not getting enough oxygen.”
At HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital, doctors confirmed that Carter had suffered a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which is a tear in the coronary artery wall that can lead to a heart attack, heart rhythm problems or even sudden death.
What you need to know about SCAD
Carter’s condition, SCAD, has no known cause or risk factors.
Most patients with this condition women in their 40s and 50s are otherwise healthy, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
“The patients are usually healthy women.”
Although there is no known exact cause, “scientists think it is possible that many factors can cause SCAD, such as abnormalities in blood vessels, genetics, hormonal influences or inflammatory problems,” the AHA website says.
“Although it’s not exactly clear what causes SCAD, patients tend to be women – very similar to Justine’s case – otherwise healthy,” Dr. Mark Bair, medical director of the emergency department at HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View hospital — the doctor who treated Carter — told Fox News Digital.
Justine Carter was reunited with her first responder team and clinical colleagues at HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital in August 2024. (Justine Carter)
“In fact, SCAD patients often have few or no risk factors for heart disease,” he continued.
“Extreme physical and emotional stress are risk factors, as is fibromuscular dysplasia, which affects blood vessels, connective tissue disorders and genetics and more. high blood pressure.”
Carter had no warning signs before the event.
CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS FOR WOMEN OVER 50
“I just felt like I had low energy that day and I didn’t feel right — but I just thought it was because it was winter and cloudy outside,” she said.
A week after the first heart attack, the day he returned home from the hospital, Carter suffered another heart attack.
As before, he developed chest pains and severe nausea, as well as dangerously low blood pressure.
Justine Carter is pictured the day after coming out of a coma at HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital in Payson, Utah. (Justine Carter)
“The second event was just as scary as the first,” he told Fox News Digital.
Carter fled to HCA Healthcare’s Timpanogos Regional Hospital, which has a full lab team and a cardiothoracic surgeon, just in case he needs one. heart surgery.
The heart team found that Carter’s first aortic aneurysm had grown in length, causing more swelling and other blockages.
A WOMAN’S RISK OF HEART DISEASE CAN BE DETERMINED 30 YEARS NOTICE WITH A SINGLE BLOOD TEST, RESEARCH FINDS.
“When he got to the hospital, his blood pressure was not healthy,” said Teresa Carter. “Really, I thought his heart would fail, and I’m afraid we might lose him.”
After restoring blood flow by using a balloon to compress the artery wound, the cardiac team installed a small heart pump to temporarily relieve Carter’s heart of some of its work while he recovered.
‘Remarkable’ recovery
Today, Carter came home, I feel strong every day.
“Justine is doing very well and has a good prognosis with good care and preventative measures,” Bair told Fox News Digital.
Justine Carter (left) is pictured with her mother-in-law, Teresa Carter, who saved her life by administering CPR after a heart attack. (Justine Carter)
When Carter first arrived at Mountain View Hospital’s ER, Bair was concerned that she might continue nerve damage because of the 25 minutes without oxygen to his brain, he said.
“However, due to the wonderful miracles performed in the field, he has fully recovered.
NO CARDIISTS AVAILABLE IN PART OF OUR REGIONS AS MULA’S STUDY IS ‘DEFINITELY DUE TO PRECAUTIONS’
Carter’s mother-in-law starting CPR and resuscitation efforts by EMS personnel were key to his survival, Bair noted, along with the “heroic measures” taken by the hospital to preserve his brain function.
“His recovery has been incredible to watch,” he added.
After completing her cardio regimen, Carter is able to walk her dog, but she has not yet been cleared to resume her running or hiking activities.
“SCAD patients often have few or no risk factors for heart disease.”
“I was you are really tired in the first two weeks, then my strength started to grow,” she said.
“Now I can stay up all day without needing to sleep.”
Every three months, Carter visits his cardiologist to make sure his heart is working properly.
Justine Carter is pictured with her husband, Kevin Carter, after being released from the hospital. (Justine Carter)
Although SCAD cannot be predicted or prevented, Bair stressed the importance of making good lifestyle choices, such as diet. heart healthy foodmoderate exercise, reducing stress and treating high blood pressure.
“Older people should also find the need to sleep properly and visit their doctor regularly,” he advised. “Tobacco use is also a very preventable risk factor for heart disease.”
Lessons learned
Carter’s heart attack was “life-changing,” he said, teaching him the following important lessons.
1. Listen to your body
“As women, we tend to put the needs of all people above our own,” she said. “We have to say, ‘This is how I feel and this is what I’m going to do.’
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Carter’s heart attack helped him realize that it’s OK to slow down and let others do things for him.
“Now, when I’m tired, I just click.”
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HEALTH PAPER
“If something feels ‘off,’ don’t hesitate,” he advises. “Just call 911, because a lot of things can be prevented if you do that.”
Baid also emphasized the importance of paying attention to new or different symptoms, including chest pain, which are unusual shortness of breathand severe weakness or dizziness.
2. Learn lifesaving techniques
It’s important for people to know CPR and be prepared to use it in emergencies until EMS arrives, Justine and Teresa Carter agree.
It’s important for people to know CPR and be prepared to use it in emergencies until EMS arrives, Justine and Teresa Carter agree. (Stock)
“Even for non-medical people, it’s a very important skill to have,” said Teresa Carter. “You’ll probably be able to help someone you love.”
3. Don’t live in fear
Although SCAD events are often unpredictable or preventable, Carter is determined not to live in fear.
“If you spend every day in fear, you will not enjoy life.”
“You can live your life afraid of many things, but if you spend every day in fear, you will not enjoy life,” she said. “Life is fragile and short, so enjoy it for what it is.”
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
Carter also reiterated his gratitude for the team at HCA Healthcare Mountain View Hospital.
“I’m just here because of them,” he said. “All I can say is, ‘Thank you.’
Source link
