Health
After suffering heart attack on treadmill, Utah mom issues warning: ‘Listen to your body’
When Justine Carter stepped on the treadmill for a quick energy boost last May, she never thought it would lead to a near-death experience.
The Utah mother, 33, was fit and healthy — but 12 minutes into her walk, she started having shortness of breath and a pain in her back that penetrated to her chest.
When that was followed by violent vomiting, Carter assumed she’d been hit with a terrible stomach flu.
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“That’s where things get a little bit hazy,” she told Fox News Digital during an interview.
Justine Carter (left) experienced a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) while on the treadmill. At right, she reunites with the EMS team who saved her life at HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital. (Justine Carter)
Carter called her husband and mother-in-law, but has no recollection of the conversations.
“The next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital.”
Her husband and mother-in-law had found her in the bathroom, where Carter appeared to be having a seizure and had very slow breathing.
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Her mother-in-law, Teresa Carter — a nurse at HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital in Payson, Utah — kept her alive with CPR until emergency medical services arrived.
For 25 minutes, Carter’s heart didn’t beat, and blood only circulated to her body through CPR.
“Everything was pretty ominous,” Teresa Carter told Fox News Digital during the same interview.
Justine Carter and her husband, Kevin Carter, are pictured during her recuperation in the hospital. (Justine Carter)
“She had what we call ‘tombstone rhythm’ on the monitor, which tells us she was having a heart attack, and that her heart muscle was not getting enough oxygen.”
At HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital, doctors confirmed that Carter had experienced a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which is a tear in the wall of a coronary artery that can lead to a heart attack, heart rhythm problems or even sudden death.
What to know about SCAD
Carter’s condition, SCAD, has no known cause or risk factors.
Most patients who have the condition are women in their 40s and 50s who are otherwise healthy, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
“Patients are often women who are otherwise healthy.”
While there is no specific known cause, “scientists think it’s likely that multiple factors may cause SCAD, such as abnormalities in the arteries, genetics, hormonal influences or inflammatory issues,” the AHA’s website states.
“Although it is not perfectly clear what causes SCAD, patients are often women – very similar to Justine’s case – who are otherwise healthy,” Dr. Mark Bair, medical director of the emergency department at HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital — the physician who treated Carter — told Fox News Digital.
Justine Carter was reunited with her first responders team and clinical colleagues at HCA Healthcare’s Mountain View Hospital in August 2024. (Justine Carter)
“In fact, it’s often the case that SCAD patients have few or no risk factors for heart disease at all,” he went on.
“Extreme physical and emotional stress are risk factors, as is fibromuscular dysplasia, which affects arterial blood vessels, genetic connective tissue disorders and very high blood pressure.”
Carter had no concerning warning signs before the event.
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“I just felt like I had low energy that day and didn’t feel up to par — but I just thought it was because it was winter and cloudy outside,” she said.
A week after the first heart attack, the day she returned home from the hospital, Carter experienced another cardiac event.
As with the first time, she had chest pain and severe nausea, along with 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 every bit as scary as the first,” she told Fox News Digital.
Carter was life-flighted to HCA Healthcare’s Timpanogos Regional Hospital, which has a full cath lab team and a cardiothoracic surgeon, in case she needed open-heart surgery.
The cardiac team found that Carter’s original aortic tear had grown in length, causing more swelling and yet another blockage.
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“When she arrived at the hospital, her blood pressure was not life-supporting,” said Teresa Carter. “Truly, I thought her heart was just going to give out, and was afraid we might lose her.”
After restoring blood flow by using a balloon to compress the artery wound, the cardiac team implanted a small heart pump to temporarily relieve Carter’s heart of some of its workload while she recovered.
‘Incredible’ recovery
Today, Carter is back at home, feeling stronger every day.
“Justine is doing great and has a wonderful prognosis with good care and prevention techniques,” 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 her heart attack. (Justine Carter)
When Carter first arrived at Mountain View Hospital’s ER, Bair was worried that she could have ongoing neurological damage because of the 25 minutes that she wasn’t getting oxygen to her brain, he said.
“However, due to the wonderful things that were done in the field, she has fully recovered.”
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Carter’s mother-in-law starting CPR and the resuscitation efforts of the EMS crews were key to her survival, Bair noted, along with the “heroic steps” performed in the hospital to preserve her brain function.
“Her recovery has been incredible to watch,” he added.
After completing cardio rehab, Carter is now able to take her dog on walks, but hasn’t yet been cleared to resume her running or hiking activities.
“It’s often the case that SCAD patients have few or no risk factors for heart disease at all.”
“I was really tired for the first two weeks, and then my energy level started coming up,” she said.
“Now I can get through the whole day without needing a nap.”
Every three months, Carter visits her cardiologist to make sure her heart is functioning as it should.
Justine Carter is pictured with her husband, Kevin Carter, after leaving the hospital. (Justine Carter)
Although SCAD can’t be predicted or prevented, Bair emphasized the importance of good lifestyle choices, like eating a heart-healthy diet, engaging in moderate exercise, reducing stress and treating high blood pressure.
“Adults should also get necessary, quality sleep and have regular visits with their physician,” he advised. “Tobacco use is also the most preventable risk factor for heart disease.”
Lessons learned
Carter’s heart attacks have been “life-changing,” she said, teaching her the following valuable lessons.
1. Listen to your body
“As women, we tend to put everyone else’s needs above our own,” she said. “We have to say, ‘This is how I’m feeling and this is what I’m going to do about it.’”
Carter’s heart attacks have helped her realize it’s OK to slow down and let others do things for her.
“Now, if I’m tired, I just tap out.”
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“If something feels ‘off,’ don’t hesitate,” she advised. “Just call 911, because a lot of things can be prevented if you do that.”
Baid also stressed the importance of paying attention to new or different symptoms, including chest pain, abnormal shortness of breath, and extreme weakness or dizziness.
2. Learn life-saving techniques
It’s important for people to know CPR and be prepared to use it in emergency situations until EMS arrives, Justine and Teresa Carter agreed.
It’s important for people to know CPR and be prepared to use it in emergency situations until EMS arrives, Justine and Teresa Carter agreed. (iStock)
“Even for non-medical people, it’s such a valuable skill to have,” said Teresa Carter. “You will most likely be able to help someone you love.”
3. Don’t live in fear
Although SCAD events usually can’t be predicted or prevented, Carter is determined not to live in fear.
“If you spend every day in fear, you won’t enjoy life.”
“You can live your life scared of a lot of things, but if you spend every day in fear, you won’t enjoy life,” she said. “Life is fragile and short, so just enjoy it for what it is.”
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Carter reiterated her gratitude for the team at HCA Healthcare Mountain View Hospital.
“I’m only here because of them,” she said. “All I can say is, ‘Thank you.’”
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A highly contagious digestive virus is surging across the U.S., experts warn.
Rotavirus, a double-stranded RNA virus, causes acute gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines — which can lead to severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain.
The virus primarily affects infants and young children, but there have also been outbreaks in elderly populations, such as nursing homes.
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Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in the week ending April 4, out of 2,329 rotavirus tests, 7.3% were positive for the infection. Last year’s highest infection rate was 6.77% as of the week ending April 19.
Rotavirus, a double-stranded RNA virus, causes acute gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines — which can lead to severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain. (iStock)
“We’re seeing a lot of rotavirus in the wastewater right now,” Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, confirmed to Fox News Digital. “Testing for rotavirus is way down, but the percentage of positive tests is up.”
While the virus typically peaks in the spring, it is not currently slowing down, he noted.
Why cases may be rising
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, M.D., a medical editor at GoodRx who is based in California, said there are several possible reasons for the rotavirus spike.
“Vaccine rates are down overall among young children, as they decreased during COVID,” she told Fox News Digital. “This means there’s a growing number of infants and young children who are vulnerable to infection.”
The rotavirus vaccine series must be completed by the time a child is 8 months old, she noted.
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As a result of the declining vaccinations, herd immunity isn’t protecting vulnerable children, according to Pinto-Garcia. “Children who haven’t finished the vaccine series yet, are too young to get vaccinated, or can’t get the vaccine due to medical illness are more likely to get exposed to the illness because other children aren’t vaccinated,” she said.
Siegel noted that before the vaccine became available, rotavirus resulted in 55,000 to 70,000 in the U.S. per year.
“Vaccine rates are down overall among young children, as they decreased during COVID,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. “This means there’s a growing number of infants and young children who are vulnerable to infection.” (iStock)
“I am concerned that the vaccination rate has been declining over the past seven years and is continuing to decline in the current climate of vaccine skepticism,” he said.
Surveillance methods are also much better than they used to be, Pinto-Garcia noted, which means public health experts are able to pick up and track cases better than ever before.
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“But we see that rotavirus-related healthcare visits are also up, so improved detection is not the only reason we are seeing this spike,” she said.
The COVID pandemic also disrupted the pattern of infections, according to Pinto-Garcia, so it’s “tricky” to compare the current levels against older cycles.
“It’s possible that what we are seeing is still some post-pandemic rebound, but it’s unlikely that this year’s pattern is fully explained by just this factor,” she added.
Transmission and risk
Dr. Zachary Hoy, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Pediatrix Medical Group based in Nashville, Tennessee, often sees young patients with rotavirus.
“Rotavirus is spread via the fecal-oral route, meaning that a person comes into contact with virus droplets from contact with other children or adults, or from contact with objects such as toys that have been contaminated with the virus from someone who is sick,” he told Fox News Digital. “This can lead to outbreaks, especially at schools where many young children share the same toys.”
“It’s possible that what we are seeing is still some post-pandemic rebound, but it’s unlikely that this year’s pattern is fully explained by just this factor.”
Rotavirus is associated with many dehydration cases in the hospital due to the degree of diarrhea, according to Hoy.
In some severe cases, the virus can lead to seizures due to electrolyte imbalances from dehydration and loss of electrolytes in the stool.
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“Younger children do not have the reserves that older children and adults have, so they can become more dehydrated quicker and develop more severe electrolyte imbalances, leading to more severe infections,” Hoy said.
“Patients with problems with their immune systems or on medications that can decrease their immune systems can have more severe and prolonged infections, too.”
Treatment and care
Because rotavirus is a viral infection, antibiotics are not effective against it. There is no specific antiviral treatment for the condition, with doctors typically recommending supportive care.
“The mainstay of treatment is hospitalization for rehydration via intravenous (IV) fluids,” Hoy told Fox News Digital. “Sometimes it can take up to two to three days of IV fluids to help get patients rehydrated.”
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Blood draws are often necessary to evaluate patients’ electrolyte levels, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, according to the doctor.
“If these electrolyte levels are significantly low, sometimes patients need special IV solutions or individual electrolyte medications,” he added.
“The mainstay of treatment is hospitalization for rehydration via intravenous (IV) fluids,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
Dr. Daniel Park, medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, noted that most children recover with supportive care, but parents should seek medical attention if a child shows signs of dehydration. Those include decreased urination, lethargy or inability to keep fluids down.
“While rare, rotavirus can be life-threatening in vulnerable populations, especially very young infants or children with underlying medical conditions,” Park told Fox News Digital.
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Prevention strategies
Given the lack of antiviral medications for rotavirus, doctors emphasize the importance of prevention, primarily the vaccine.
There are two rotavirus vaccines – Rotateq (a three-dose series) and Rotarix (a two-dose series). They are given starting at age 2 months as oral drops, not injections, according to Hoy.
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“It’s important to get the rotavirus vaccines on schedule, because these younger infants are at greatest risk if they get rotavirus,” he advised.
Other recommended prevention methods include handwashing with soap and water.
Every day we’re faced with a zillion small choices: Go to sleep early, or watch one more episode of that Netflix drama. Call an old friend to catch up, or cruise social media. Of course, no single action will guarantee a long, healthy life or doom you to an early grave. But those little daily decisions do add up, and over the long term they can make a difference when it comes to both your longevity and your health span, the amount of life spent in relatively good health.
Scroll through this theoretical “day in the life” and select the option that best fits your typical day. Not every situation will apply perfectly, but think about which choice you’d be most likely to make. This isn’t a formal scientific assessment. The goal here isn’t to assign you a “good” or “bad” score, but to help you understand the central factors that shape the way we age and how long we live.
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A study from Harvard Medical School indicates natural selection has favored the red hair gene, resulting in a potential increase in the number of redheaded people as humanity continues to evolve.
By analyzing nearly 16,000 ancient genomes spanning 10,000 years, researchers identified a list of traits that nature is actively pushing forward. Among the most prominent were the genetic variants for red hair.
“Perhaps having red hair was beneficial 4,000 years ago, or perhaps it came along for the ride with a more important trait,” the authors noted.
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The study, published in the journal Nature, relied on a large database of ancient DNA from West Eurasia. Using new computing methods, the team was able to filter out random fluctuations in DNA to identify what it called “directional selection.”
Directional selection happens when a particular version of a gene gives an organism a strong survival or reproductive advantage, causing it to become more common in a population faster than it would by chance, according to experts.
Directional selection is when a specific gene provides such significant benefits that it rises in frequency across a population much faster than random chance. (iStock)
Prior to this study, scientists only knew of about 21 such instances in human history, one of which was lactose tolerance. This new research uncovered hundreds more.
“With these new techniques and a large amount of ancient genomic data, we can now watch how selection shaped biology in real time,” Ali Akbari, first author of the study and senior staff scientist in the lab of Harvard geneticist David Reich, said in a press release.
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The data showed that genetic markers for red hair are among 479 gene variants that have been strongly favored over the past 10,000 years. One likely explanation, the researchers said, is a major shift in human history: the transition to farming.
Scientists have long pointed to vitamin D synthesis as a likely driver for the rise of traits like fair skin and light hair. (iStock)
As humans moved away from hunting and gathering and settled into agricultural societies, their environment and behavior changed radically, triggering an evolutionary “acceleration.”
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While the Harvard study provides the first definitive statistical proof that red hair was actively selected during the rise of farming, the researchers noted that the exact prehistoric benefit still requires more study.
However, scientists have long pointed to vitamin D synthesis as a likely driver for the rise of these light-pigmented traits in northern climates.
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While redheads remain a minority of the global population today, the Harvard study’s analysis suggests that they may not be an evolutionary accident.
While redheads remain a minority of the global population today, the Harvard study’s analysis suggests they may not be an evolutionary accident. (iStock)
Instead, the red hair trait was “boosted” by natural selection as humans adapted to the challenges of a modern world, according to the researchers.
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The researchers urged caution in how these findings are interpreted.
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“What a variant is associated with now is not necessarily why an allele propagated,” the authors noted.
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