The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is dedicated to bringing you the latest news and developments in sudden cardiac arrest prevention and treatment.
Fastpitch No More
Danielle Burkett, Warner Robins, GA – 18 at time of event (2008) She played 2nd base for the Georgia Elite Gold fastpitch softball team, and had been playing for ten years. She is no longer. It wasn’t her fault. She didn’t know, no one did. Danielle went to Irvine, California for a tournament in the summer of ‘08. But, she didn’t come back with… Read More
Three Angels And A Special Shirt
Roger Watson Jr., Pinehurst, NC – 62 at time of event (2006) Three times in combat and once in civilian life; it was that last one that nearly got him. Roger was a Lt. Colonel in the Special Forces, so he was used to dangerous situations. But he’d retired years ago, so it was a surprise to everyone that the most dangerous situation he’d ever… Read More
He Was The Healthiest One
Vince Graziano, Patchogue, NY – 40 at time of event (2009) If you swim for nearly an hour a day, ride a bike 100 miles without a thought, and generally keep yourself in shape, you’d expect to be heart healthy, right? Well, not so. Not according to Vince. He’d just started work after his morning swim at the YMCA in downtown Manhattan. The usual… Read More
Need an ICD? Call an EP
Higher Risk of Complications Tied to Defibrillators Implanted by Non-Specialist Physicians New Haven, CT–Non-specialist physicians who inserted implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) had higher rates of complications in their patients than electrophysiologists, who are specially trained to implant the devices. These findings are reported… Read More
Close Call for Police Officer
Mark Vollmar, Muncie, IN – 41 at time of event (1998)Mark Vollmar, an off duty policeman, was on his way to the store to buy a birthday present for his eldest son, Nicholas. His younger son, Christopher, came along for the ride, but he didn’t enjoy the trip at all. They were cruising down the busy street when Mark collapsed at the wheel, his… Read More
Legislator Saved from SCA
NC State Representative Survives SCA Raleigh, NC–State Rep. Becky Carney went into cardiac arrest and collapsed in her office Thursday while talking on the phone, but she was conscious when emergency workers took her from the building on a stretcher, a fellow lawmaker said. Police and emergency personnel rushed to Carney’s first-floor office at… Read More
The Day Heaven Couldn’t Wait
Linda Kuhn, Millport, AL – 50 at time of event (1996) It was hot. June in Alabama tends to be that way. Linda was finalizing her purchases at a yard sale when the heat became too much for her. She was under some stress as well, having just moved from being assistant director of nursing to working with a nursing home, and dealing with a failing… Read More
Near Death Experiences and SCA
Heaven can wait Tunnels, bright lights, visions of the deceased. Do near-death experiences really offer a glimpse of the afterlife - or is there a more rational explanation? When doctors returned to check on the patient who had almost died and been in a deep coma before being resuscitated, he thanked them for all the work they had done. He had,… Read More
Squash - Play It Till You Drop!
Alexander Martin, Owings Mills, MD – 60 at time of event (2006)Sandy is a die hard squash player, fit and powerful and of average height. He likes the doubles game best, and is quite competitive. In fact they have an annual championship between his family and the Corrigans, the in-laws, from the Metropolitan club in Washington DC, that’s running… Read More