On a chilly Friday night in Troy, New York, Kyle Wessels peered out the window and recognized his first task for the next day: clearing snow. By Saturday morning, a few inches of snow had layered the ground, heavy and dense. Having lived in Troy his whole life, Kyle, then 47 and a seasoned athlete, knew the routine. Armed with a snowblower and shovel, he set to work.
After 40 minutes of labor, Kyle paused for a break, a typical part of the routine. However, upon retreating into his house, he found himself sweating profusely. Feeling unusually hot, he stripped off his jacket and sweatshirt, but the discomfort escalated, culminating in a crushing pressure in his chest. Normally, his wife, Michelle Wessels, would be out grocery shopping, but she happened to be home that morning. In agony, Kyle screamed her name before collapsing onto the floor. When Michelle reached him, Kyle managed to say, “There’s something going on.”
Michelle promptly dialed 911, and emergency medical technicians arrived within minutes. After assessing the situation, one EMT confirmed, “You’re having a heart attack,” as he connected Kyle to a monitor. Though barely able to walk, Kyle was supported by two EMTs who guided him to the ambulance. This was his last memory of that harrowing morning.
A primary artery was obstructed, impeding blood flow to his heart. Doctors inserted two stents to alleviate the blockage, subsequently inducing a coma to facilitate his recovery. A pump was also installed to maintain a steady heartbeat. The following memory Kyle had was waking up in a hospital bed, tethered to a ventilator, tubes running from his arms.
Once he regained voice, he inquired about his teenage children. Michelle reassured him, saying, “They’re in school. I’m trying to keep things as normal for them as possible.” Surprised, Kyle asked, “Wait, what day is it?” To which Michelle replied, “Tuesday.” He had believed it was still Saturday.
Later, doctors speculated that a plaque fragment had dislodged, causing the blockage. They were perplexed by his condition, as he had no apparent risk factors—normal blood pressure, regular cholesterol, no diabetes or smoking history, minimal alcohol consumption, and no significant familial heart disease history. When a nutritionist offered dietary advice, they found Kyle and Michelle were already adhering to most recommendations.
By Thursday of March 2023, Kyle returned home, having lost 31 pounds and feeling weakened to the extent of requiring a walker for several days. Michelle, juggling a full-time job and teenagers, swiftly assumed responsibilities at home. “I didn’t have time to be scared or nervous,” she reflected. “My mindset was, ‘We’re doing what the doctor said, and we’re going to be fine.’ I had to be the positive force.” Conversely, Kyle had ample time to contemplate his situation.
“I realized how some things are out of your control,” he mused. “I had some dark days. It was a very humbling time.” Reaching out to friends and connecting with other heart patients proved beneficial, as their stories resonated with him.
When April arrived, Kyle eagerly commenced cardiac rehabilitation at the hospital, quickly regaining strength and endurance. He also resumed part-time work. Yet, in late June, during a workout on a rowing machine, a technician noticed an anomaly in his heartbeat. “Come with me right now,” the tech urged, placing Kyle in a wheelchair and rushing him to the emergency room.
Initially unfazed, Kyle was suddenly drenched in sweat, prompting him to pour water over his head. Before they could get assistance, he slid from the wheelchair, breathless. Medical staff acted swiftly, using a defibrillator to revive him, then whisking him to the catheterization lab for further examination.
The diagnosis was ventricular tachycardia—a condition causing an irregularly fast heartbeat in the heart’s lower chambers, impairing blood circulation. He received two additional stents in the same artery, with doctors attributing the V-tach to the specific placement of the first stents.
Four days later, Kyle was discharged, equipped with a wearable cardioverter defibrillator for the next 90 days to monitor his heart’s rhythm. Ultimately, he received an implantable pacemaker and defibrillator for long-term heart rhythm regulation.
Currently, Kyle and Michelle pay even closer attention to their diet, with Kyle eliminating fried foods altogether. He remains active, indulging in golf—his favored sport—albeit mindful not to overexert himself. The one task he’s sworn off forever? Shoveling snow.
The stories in Stories From the Heart celebrate the remarkable journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, their caregivers, and advocates. While some opinions in this narrative do not necessarily reflect the official position of the American Heart Association, the association retains all rights to the content.
