Faster Response Leads to Faster Recovery After Heart Attack

Even though nearly 20 years separate brothers Clifford and Ricky Stackpole, they’re still extremely close. They even experienced life-threatening heart events on the same weekend. Their reaction to and recovery from their respective ailments shows what a difference a quick response can make.

One evening in July 2023, Ricky, 61, began experiencing what he thought might be extreme indigestion. Feeling apprehensive, he sat with the pain for a bit but went to the emergency department early the next day. His caregivers at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center discovered he needed double bypass surgery. He was transferred to UH Cleveland Medical Center where he underwent the procedure.

Three days later, Ricky found out his younger brother Clifford had experienced severe heartburn the very same night as him. But Clifford ignored the pain for several days.

“I thought I was too young to be having a heart attack, even though they run in our family,” said Clifford, 42.

When he ultimately sought treatment at UH Portage Medical Center, his doctors told him he had also had a heart attack.

“In this field we say, ‘time is muscle,’” said Anjan Gupta, MD, an interventional cardiologist with UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. “The sooner a person experiencing a heart attack can get to the hospital for treatment, the more likely they are not only to live, but to live with a better outcome and fewer complications.”

Common symptoms of a heart attack include:

• A feeling of heartburn or indigestion
• Chest pain, pressure, tightness, squeezing or aching
• Fatigue
• Cold sweat
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Pain the back, jaw, neck and teeth

Clifford was also transported to UH Cleveland Medical Center. The brothers were on the same floor for recovery and had fun visiting each other and being playful with the staff.

“They got a kick out of treating brothers at the same time,” said Ricky.

Nearly a year later, both brothers have had what Dr. Gupta considers a good outcome. Anyone is fortunate to live through a heart attack. But Clifford’s recovery has been much longer. He needed two surgeries. Ricky spent two weeks in the hospital, while Clifford was there for three months.

The brothers have learned from their experience and now encourage family and friends to know the signs of a heart attack and take a preventive approach to their heart health.