🚑 A Survival Story: Mark Sheppard Finds a Second Chance After a Massive Heart Attack 🌟💔
In a surprising turn of events, Mark Sheppard, known for his role in “Supernatural,” shared on Instagram his terrifying experience with a massive heart attack known as a “widowmaker.” As he prepared to leave his house for a date, he collapsed on the floor of his kitchen.
“Six massive heart attacks later, and being brought back from the dead 4 times, I apparently had a 100% blockage in my left anterior descending (LAD) artery,” he wrote in a post shared over the weekend.
A widowmaker heart attack occurs when a person experiences a complete blockage of the left anterior descending artery, which carries nearly half of the body’s blood to the heart. The condition is “immediately fatal,” according to New-York Presbyterian, and may require quick action to prevent damage to the heart.
Sheppard shared that he was lucky to be alive. He attributes his survival to his wife, the Los Angeles Fire Department at Mullholland, and the incredible staff at Providence California St. Joseph’s.
“If it wasn’t for my wife, the @losangelesfiredepartment in Mullholland and the incredible staff at @providencecalifornia St. Joseph’s, I wouldn’t be writing this,” he said. “My chances of survival were virtually zero.”
If people experience symptoms of a heart attack, they should call 911 immediately. How quickly the blockage opens is crucial to minimizing the risk of heart damage.
Widowmaker heart attacks can be caused by cholesterol building up in the LAD, leading to a blockage, or by a blood clot blocking the LAD, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Doctors urge patients to regularly check in with their providers to understand their risk of heart disease, as it remains a persistent problem for many Americans.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women,” warns Dr. Laxmi Mehta, director of preventive cardiology and women’s cardiovascular health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “We are all at risk, so we should worry about prevention, which starts early.” 💓🏥
#HeartAttack #Survival #HeartHealth
