Heidi Stewart and her SCA Survival Story

Around this time of the year, many students are preparing for graduation. Students are taking their senior photos at special locations in their cities, compiling lists for graduation invites and crossing their fingers to finish finals and get on with the rest of their life… it’s a typical graduation story.

Heidi Stewart’s story is anything but typical.

On February 12, Stewart was helping students hang pink paper hearts around school hallways for Valentine’s Day. As she was walking down the hall to the school office, she began to grow weary and feel herself passing out.

The school nurse was called and rushed to the collapsed Stewart with an automated external defibrillator (AED) as emergency services were called. While the Associate Principal and Dean of Students began prepping for the AED by performing chest compressions, Heidi’s parents were called—the devastating call that no parent ever wants to receive.

For eight minutes, Heidi was clinically dead. Her youthful body was shutting down as she began gasping for another breath of fresh air while blood was coming from her mouth.

After continued CPR and shocks from the automated external defibrillator (AED), Heidi was revived and brought back to life, although she couldn’t immediately see her rescuers. Her vision later returned.

HeidiStewart’s story is one of many like her, a healthy young adult, actively involved with little health complications. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can strike any, and is increasingly attacking young adults and athletes.

Had it not been for the donated automated external defibrillator (AED), Heidi might not have been able to enjoy the celebration of four years of high school.

Be alert and aware and have your family and encourage your friends to have their heart screened for potentially fatal heart disease and complications.