Living with Congestive Heart Failure

On August 20, 2006 I was taken to the emergency room by ambulance after myocardial infarction leading to cardiopulmonary arrest. I was intubated after CPR, placed on a ventilator. Did have initial CPR and defibrillation and have subsequently had recurrent ventricular tachycardia requiring prolonged CPR. Developed a large myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock and underwent an emergency cardiac catherization [catheterization] and primary percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stent placement in the proxima left lanterior descending artery. I had an intraaortic balloon pump placed for cardiogenic shock and required multiple defribillations due to recurrent ventricular tachycardia. And I also had 2 cerebrovascular accidents which have left my vocal cords bilaterally paralyzed along with left hand paralysis.

After all of this, I am still alive. The culprit was a blood clot to the main artery of my heart better known as the widowmaker. I am only 40 years old.