Mike Papale
Fear of Dying
When I was 17 years old, I went into sudden cardiac arrest and almost died. Sudden cardiac arrest is an abnormal rhythm with the heart also known as an arrhythmia where the heart suddenly stops working. Immediate CPR and the quick shock from AED are crucial to someone surviving sudden cardiac arrest. I did not receive CPR right away and there was no AED on site in the building where I suffered my sudden cardiac arrest, so doctors told me my chances of survival were ONE in a MILLION.
I was later diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy also known as HCM. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is excessive thickening of the heart muscle and can affect everyone differently. Doctors prescribed a beta blocker called Nadolol and surgically placed an Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD).
During my time in the hospital I was very anxious. This was new for my family and me. I had a lot of questions, but I was under care 24 hours a day. Any time I had a question a nurse or a doctor would answer them and make me feel better. When I finally was discharged, I felt so relieved and excited, but when I got home, I was scared. I was afraid that I was going to go into sudden cardiac arrest again and die in my sleep!
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