100% Blocked Artery Cleared: Heart Attack Prevention Story

Once a major coronary artery becomes blocked due to plaque or other buildup, the heart will suffer life-threatening damage if not cleared within 90 minutes.

Kathy Richards was home alone and 20 minutes into a severe cardiac event known as a segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), experiencing shortness of breath, heartburn and a feeling of pressure in the middle of her chest. “Then I started sweating. Things were not getting better; they were getting worse, so I called 911,” the 68-year-old retired music teacher in Lake Jackson, Texas, recalled.

Sweeny Community Hospital Emergency Medical Technician Kylie Stuart and Paramedic Jacob Powers recognized immediately that Kathy’s symptoms were serious. “She did not look good. She looked weak. She was very, very sweaty. She did not complain of chest pain, but that is not uncommon in women having heart attacks,” Kylie recalled.

Jacob administered an EKG and sent the results to the Emergency Department at St. Luke’s Health - Brazosport Hospital using a special program called Pulsara. Emergency Medicine physician Corey Anderson confirmed Kathy was indeed experiencing total blockage of a major coronary artery.

The St. Luke’s Health - Brazosport cardiac team sprang into action.

Interventional Cardiologist Haider Alwash, MD, and the hospital’s cardiac catheter lab staff immediately reported to the ER and were ready for Kathy when she arrived. “We were able to unplug a 100% occluded artery on the right side, which could have caused a major heart attack,” Dr. Alwash said. “Time was of the essence.”

Kathy received the standard mild sedation, allowing her to interact with Dr. Alwash during the procedure. “When they put that stent in, Dr. Alwash asked me, ‘How do you feel now?’ And I said, I have no pain. It's gone. And I could breathe. The pain was gone as soon as they put the stent in,” she said in amazement.

By the time her husband and family arrived at the hospital, the 25-minute procedure was over. Kathy stayed overnight and was discharged the next day. 

“People ask me, ‘How did it feel to have a heart attack?’ I tell them that it is scary and it’s not something you mess around with. If you're having any kind of symptoms, don't wait. Call 911.”  Dr. Alwash said it is common for heart attack symptoms in women to present as heartburn, nausea, and pain between the shoulders rather than the sharp chest pain men often feel.

One month later, Kathy feels great and takes statins, aspirin, and a blood thinner.  Dr. Alwash says her prognosis is excellent. 

“When it happened, I kept telling myself, ‘God's going to take care of this.’ And He did. When I got to the hospital, the doctors and nurses were fabulous. I couldn't have asked for any better. They did a great, great job. They saved my life.”

Experiencing heart attack symptoms? Don't delay—call 911 immediately. Every second counts. When emergency services arrive, request transport to St. Luke’s - Brazosport Hospital or the nearest facility for specialized cardiac attention.

Take charge of your heart health. If you're concerned about your risk for heart disease   or simply want a heart health evaluation, connect with our experienced cardiologists at St. Luke’s - Brazosport Hospital. Schedule an appointment with a provider near you.