Karate Master Fights Back After Heart Attack

James Stuber, 66, had a heart attack in his Chardon, Ohio home in May, 2022. His wife, Tammy, a certified home healthcare worker, performed CPR on him for 10 minutes until an ambulance arrived. James had no pulse for 29 minutes, but thanks to the care he received from the first responders and medical team with UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at UH Geauga Medical Center, he survived.

When Stuber arrived at UH Geauga, Dr. Greg Stefano, interventional cardiologist with UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, and his team opened the blockage impeding blood flow to Stuber’s heart. Then, James faced a lengthy stay in the ICU to recover.

Stuber was so impressed with and thankful for his lifesaving care at UH Geauga that he wrote a letter to his caregivers.

“My wife told me everyone was great and worked hard to help my situation. She also told me I was not a good patient, which does not surprise me,” Stuber wrote.

He went on to say, “Let me just apologize for pulling lines and tubes out of my body while I was there and being difficult…I’m normally a very easygoing person.” “Again, thank you for saving my life and getting me back on my feet.”

“We’re thrilled to see how well James recovered, because we weren’t really sure if he was going to wake up, to be honest,” said Dr. Stefano. “Even though Tammy was heroic in performing CPR, any time you have an out-of-hospital event like that where the patient isn’t responsive, it’s very challenging to evaluate brain function.”

A few short months later, Stuber, a black belt and owner of Karate Institute of America in Chardon, returned to work teaching karate classes to the community.

Ultimately, this health scare expedited the couple’s timeline for a big move to one of their favorite places – Arizona, and a more relaxing life.

“This is why we do what we do. It’s just an honor for our whole team to have been a part of saving James and know he’s out there living his best life with his family,” said Dr. Stefano.

Related Links

• Heart & Vascular Services