Health
Heart Heroes Save Man from Deadly Heart Attack
Ken Rich, a 56-year-old resident of Brooklyn, owes his life to the prompt and expert care he received from NYU Langone Heart specialists after suffering a severe heart attack known as a “widow-maker.” This life-threatening event unfolded on a seemingly ordinary August morning when Rich awoke feeling nauseated and in a cold sweat. His initial attempt to alleviate the symptoms with an antacid proved futile, prompting his wife to rush him to the NYU Langone Health—Cobble Hill Emergency Department.
Upon arrival, extensive testing revealed the shocking truth: Rich was experiencing a heart attack. This was particularly surprising for Rich, who had adhered to a heart-healthy Mediterranean diet and maintained an active lifestyle. “‘How could this be happening?’ I thought,” Rich expressed, reflecting on his disbelief.
Rich was swiftly transferred by ambulance to the Ronald O. Perelman Center for Emergency Services at NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital. This facility, renowned for its advanced catheterization laboratory and recipient of the Mission: Lifeline Gold Award from the American Heart Association, was equipped to handle such critical cases. The team of elite interventional cardiologists at NYU Langone Heart confirmed that Rich was enduring a widow-maker heart attack, characterized by a blockage in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery.
Dr. Louai Razzouk, an interventional cardiologist at NYU Langone, explained the gravity of the situation: “A widow-maker heart attack…occurs when there’s a blockage in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery…This type of heart attack is immediately life-threatening because the LAD artery supplies about 50 percent of the heart muscle’s blood supply.”
A coronary angiogram revealed that Rich’s LAD artery was completely obstructed at its origin. This blockage resulted from a rupture of plaque, a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances on arterial walls. Rich’s heart was in distress, with an ejection fraction of only 30 percent, significantly below the normal 55 percent.
To address the blockage, Dr. Razzouk and his team employed a continuous suction mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure available only at advanced laboratories like Tisch Hospital. This involved suctioning out the clot through a tiny catheter inserted into a blood vessel in the leg. Subsequently, a stent was placed in Rich’s LAD artery to maintain its openness. Remarkably, the entire procedure was completed in under an hour, restoring blood flow to Rich’s heart.
“The cardiology team at NYU Langone was just incredible, including the nurses,” Rich praised, acknowledging the exceptional care he received. Within three days, he was back home, though the memory of swimming across Iron Creek Lake just a week prior seemed distant. “After my heart attack, I was nervous just going up subway stairs. I didn’t know what was safe for my heart to do,” he confessed.
To regain his confidence and physical capabilities, Rich participated in 36 one-hour sessions at NYU Langone’s Joan and Joel Smilow Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Center. This medically monitored exercise program is designed to enhance outcomes for individuals who have experienced heart-related events or procedures.
Rich’s journey to recovery doesn’t end there. With established coronary artery disease, he requires regular checkups and medication to manage his condition. “When someone has a big heart attack, the two major things we focus on are using medication to help the heart get stronger and reduce the risk of a future heart attack,” explained Dr. Gregory Katz, Rich’s cardiologist at NYU Langone. Dr. Katz emphasized the importance of optimizing cholesterol and blood pressure levels to prevent a recurrence.
Expressing his gratitude, Rich stated, “I’m so grateful to have access to the best healthcare in the world and being in New York City when my heart attack happened.” With his heart fully recovered, Rich can look forward to a normal life expectancy and continue enjoying an active lifestyle.
Reflecting on the potential for recovery after a heart attack, Dr. Razzouk shared, “Many of my patients after a heart attack have run marathons and climbed mountains.” With renewed vigor, Rich is setting ambitious goals, looking forward to participating in the 40-mile Five Boro Bike Tour with his son Roscoe this spring.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
