“It just hits you out of nowhere,” said Clinton Carawan from Virginia Beach about his heart attack experience. He’s thankful to be alive today.
Dr. Deepak Talreja, a cardiology expert from Sentara Health, helped save Clinton’s life. He explained that Clinton suffered a massive cardiac arrest due to multiple blockages in his arteries, with one being completely blocked. This type of blockage is notoriously known as the “widowmaker.”
Fortunately, Clinton’s 11-year-old daughter, Vada, was there when it happened. She knew exactly what to do and jumped into action, performing CPR. “I thought, ‘I need to save my dad’s life. That’s my focus right now,’” she recalled. Vada kept going with chest compressions until paramedics arrived.
Dr. Talreja praised her quick action, saying it was crucial for Clinton’s survival. After initial care at Sentara Virginia Beach General, Clinton was transferred to Sentara’s Heart Hospital in Norfolk for treatment of his blockages.
Weeks later, Clinton is feeling much better. He’s currently engaging in cardiac rehab to strengthen his heart again. Before his heart attack, he had no significant symptoms. “I didn’t feel anything major, so I never thought to get it checked out,” he admitted.
This kind of surprise heart attack is common, according to Dr. Talreja. Many people suffer from sudden cardiac issues without any warning signs beforehand.
When I asked about the main causes of artery blockages, Dr. Talreja mentioned two vital factors: genetics and lifestyle. “Some people have a family history of heart problems,” he said. Clinton found out that multiple relatives on his father’s side had heart issues. “I never knew my uncles had heart attacks too until recently,” he shared.
Lifestyle choices also matter. Dr. Talreja noted that habits like smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise can heighten risks. Clinton has already made significant lifestyle changes. He quit smoking after his experience and jokes about how easy it was post-incident. “Waking up from the hospital bed made that decision pretty clear for me,” he said.
He’s also changed his diet. “I used to eat a lot of red meat, but now I’m focusing on chicken and vegetables,” he explained.
Thanks to her Girl Scouts training, Vada was ready to help her dad. Dr. Talreja emphasized the importance of knowing how to perform CPR correctly. “The focus is on delivering strong chest compressions,” he noted. He demonstrated it, explaining that compressions should be hard enough to push down about one inch into the chest.
Interestingly, Dr. Talreja mentioned a fun tip. You can use the Bee Gees’ song “Stayin’ Alive” to maintain the right tempo while performing CPR. It helps keep the rhythm at about 104 beats per minute, which is ideal for compressions.
It’s important to remember, if you have to perform CPR, you might crack a rib, but that’s not a reason to hesitate. “Most people don’t push hard enough. You really want to be firm with your compressions,” Dr. Talreja advised.
