A “widow-maker” heart attack is a particularly dangerous incident that affects the left anterior descending artery, responsible for supplying a significant portion of the heart’s front. This artery is crucial among the three arteries that deliver blood to the heart and is often the primary culprit in heart attack cases. It poses a severe threat to life. Heart attacks occur when a blood clot creates a blockage in the heart’s arteries, such as the left anterior descending artery mentioned earlier. Risk factors for this type of heart attack include diabetes, a family history of premature heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and factors contributing to high stress levels. Symptoms of a widow-maker heart attack may manifest as chest pain described as tightness or pressure-like, with potential radiation to the neck, jaw, or shoulder, as well as symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, or upset stomach.
Reflecting on the moments leading up to his heart attack, Wesolowski recalled feeling an unusual sensation before collapsing. He described, “I remember a warm, sort of dizzy feeling that overtook my body. It started in my feet and worked its way up. I thought it was strange, and then the next thing I knew, I was being revived.”
Fortunately, the swift actions of the Duquesne medical team proved instrumental in saving Wesolowski’s life. They followed a life-saving protocol they had trained for but never had to execute until then. Dr. Ryan Nussbaum, the team physician who conducted chest compressions on Wesolowski, shared his thoughts, stating, “Our instincts kicked in, with Liz Lee immediately grabbing the AED, and Travis Moyer and I running up there, as we’ve been trained to do. You focus on implementing what you’ve learned in basic life support.”
Moyer added, “Everything unfolded as planned, following the established protocol. It was a unique situation involving a fan rather than an athlete, but the process and protocol remain consistent regardless of the patient.”
Wesolowski expressed profound gratitude for the team’s prompt actions, acknowledging their readiness to identify the situation and respond effectively in a tense moment. Returning to the arena where his life was nearly lost, Wesolowski and his family had the opportunity to meet the medical team that saved him for the first time. Duquesne University honored its training staff that night, with the Wesolowski family expressing immense gratitude for their decisive actions.
“If it weren’t for them and the seamless coordination of all those elements at the right time, the outcome might have been different,” Wesolowski remarked. “But they were prepared, and that’s something I am incredibly thankful for.”
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