At 39, Jason Shaw was a dedicated fitness enthusiast, exercising nearly every day for over half his life. He had completed seven marathons and led a vigorous outdoor exercise group in Indianapolis, braving all weather conditions. Just a month prior, he had signed a lease for his own gym, making significant strides towards realizing his fitness dreams. One May morning in 2021, he awoke feeling off but attributed it to a recent COVID-19 booster or seasonal allergies. Despite feeling tightness in his chest, shoulders, and jaw, he initially dismissed it as nothing more than indigestion.
When Shaw visited an urgent care clinic, he mentioned only the breathing issues, leading the doctor to suspect pneumonia and prescribe antibiotics. However, the urge to exercise soon returned, and he attempted a run but was met with severe chest pain. After looking up his symptoms online, the realization struck him that he could be having a heart attack, but he remained in denial and went home to cook dinner. Unfortunately, swallowing became impossible, and his girlfriend, Megan Sanctorum, insisted he go to the emergency room.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Shaw began coughing up blood and showed signs of hypoxia, with his blood oxygen level registering at just 88%. Although his EKG appeared normal, blood tests indicated elevated troponin levels, suggesting a potential cardiac event. Further examinations revealed serious blockages in the arteries leading to his heart, necessitating a double bypass surgery. The doctor explained that these blockages were likely due to loose clots sparked by the pneumonia’s inflammation. Surgery was promptly scheduled for the following day.
Throughout the wait, exacerbated by pandemic restrictions on visitors, Shaw felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. However, hospital staff reassured him that his strong heart, a product of his dedication to fitness, had contributed to the lack of initial EKG issues. Just before his scheduled surgery, Shaw experienced another heart attack, prompting urgent medical intervention with nitroglycerin to alleviate the pressure and expedite his operating room preparation. Fortunately, the hospital made adjustments to allow him brief visits from his loved ones before the surgery began.
The approximately 12-hour open-heart surgery went well, aided by Shaw’s impressive cardiovascular health. Within three short days, he achieved key recovery milestones, allowing him to continue healing at his father’s home, much faster than expected for someone undergoing such an operation. This positive outcome underscored the benefits of his active lifestyle.
Post-surgery, he faced several restrictions, such as avoiding heavy lifting and maintaining an upright sleeping position. Despite the challenges, he was encouraged to take short walks, eventually managing a mile-and-a-half trek to his cardiac rehabilitation sessions. Remarkably, just three weeks after the operation, Shaw was running for 45 minutes on a treadmill during rehab. By spring, three years after experiencing the heart attack, he completed a half-marathon, opting to push a man in a wheelchair throughout the course rather than focusing solely on his personal performance.
Shaw’s experience transformed him into a passionate advocate for health and wellness, emphasizing that regular fitness and a heart-healthy diet can both prevent heart issues and promote quicker recovery. He also learned the critical importance of listening to one’s body and recognizing the signs of a heart attack. “Listen to the people around you,” he advises. “Don’t ignore the signs. Don’t be stubborn. You cannot survive a heart attack on your own.”
Through his journey, Shaw embodies the resilience of heart disease survivors, highlighting the significance of physical health in both prevention and recovery from cardiovascular challenges.
