Heart Transplant Survivor

On September 30, 2002, I had a massive heart attack at the age of 50. I had no recognizable symptoms at the time, even though the LADD artery was 100% blocked. My heart stopped for 4 minutes, while the emergency room personnel at the General Hospital in Lafayette, La. administered CPR and attempted to jump start the heart 3 times with a defib unit. I was left in ICU with a 15% ejection factor, and 95% of my oxygen being temporarily supplied by machines. The heart was left severely damaged, with one valve not working which could not be repaired. I was listed for a heart in Oct. 2003, and received a heart on Dec. 13, 2003. Life has been wonderful since!

Bruce Runner, Heart Recipient, December 13, 2003