Health Matters: Central Arkansas firefighter survives massive heart attack

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – First responders are those serving to save others however for one central Arkansas firefighter, he discovered himself because the one who wanted to be saved.

It was a typical day for firefighter Alan Tetkoskie. He was working a automobile accident in North Little Rock when he began to really feel just a little off.

“Extreme dizziness and nausea actually unhealthy and weak spot together with it,” Tetkoskie stated.

He determined to sit on one of many vehicles.

“I used to be considering if I simply wait till I get to the place I really feel higher, I’ll be capable to maintain doing what I used to be doing,” Tetkoskie stated.

About that point a paramedic walked by.

“And requested me if I used to be okay and I truly stated ‘no, no I don’t assume I’m okay,” Tetkoskie stated.

Trying again now, he’s glad that was his reply.

“The subsequent factor I do know they’re pulling garments off of me they usually caught an IV on me and advised me I used to be having a coronary heart assault,” Tetkoskie stated.

He was rushed to Baptist Well being in North Little Rock.

“The ER was ready for me,” Tetkoskie stated. “That was the quickest journey by means of the ER I’ve ever had in my life.”

Inside 5 minutes, he was despatched to the Cath lab. Instantly Dr. Yadav set to work.

“This artery is his lifeline and it’s fully blocked,” Baptist Well being Interventional Heart specialist Dr. Kapil Yadav stated “I’m cleansing this out with balloons and stints. It is a stint and that is after we opened it up.”

Dr. Yadav says Tetkoskie survived a significant coronary heart assault, however the signs of nausea and dizziness weren’t what you usually anticipate.

“The manifestations of coronary heart assaults range from folks to folks,” Dr. Yadav stated. “Similar to all of us look completely different, we now have completely different ache thresholds.”

As Tetkoskie goes again for his common checkups, he stated this story might’ve had a a lot completely different end result if it weren’t for 2 issues. That’s listening to his physique and being surrounded by his friends who know how you can save a life.

“I used to be standing in the course of two ambulances, a medical helicopter and extra paramedics than I can rely and albeit I believe that’s most likely one of many largest elements that I may properly say saved my life,” Tetkoskie stated.