On a February 2024 evening, Dave Grable lay on the floor, regaining consciousness. As the grogginess cleared, one thought went through his head: There was no way he’d had a heart attack.
The sentiment was understandable. Dave, a retired firefighter and first responder, was in excellent physical condition. In the past, he’d run marathons and participated in triathlons. In retirement, he kept active through officiating soccer games and playing racquetball.
“I can’t sit still,” Dave says.
Despite all the factors in his favor, the 67-year-old had indeed had a heart attack. Thanks to quick action from a friend and bystanders, as well as teams from Neenah-Menasha Fire & Rescue and ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care, Dave survived to tell the tale.
Signs of Struggle
Dave and his good friend, Steve VanDeurzen, are kindred spirits. The two men officiate soccer together and share a similar philosophy and keen eye when making calls on the pitch. During the off season, the friends sought a pastime that would keep them active. They landed on racquetball.
On the night of Dave’s heart attack, he and Steve met at the Neenah-Menasha YMCA to play a series of racquetball matches. The pair fell into a familiar rhythm. They’d play a match and take a water break. Dave began to notice that he felt off between games.
“Near the end of the first game, I was feeling just a little bit fatigued,” he says. “I’d try to take a deep breath and felt like I could only fill up about 90% of the way.”
The symptoms were subtle. Dave initially chalked them up to having had a vaccine a few days before. The friends continued to play and then took another water break.
“I remember opening the door and taking about 10 steps, and it’s only another five more steps to the bubbler for water, and that’s all I remember,” Dave says. “The next thing I recall is lying on the floor looking up at about seven or eight people.”
Heroic Helpers
What happened next for Dave came into focus only in retrospect. Steve was taking a drink and said something to Dave. When Steve heard no reply, he turned and saw his friend lying on his back on the floor.
Throughout the course of his career, Dave had come across countless people who were PNB — pulseless, not breathing. Now he was in that very state.
Steve sprang to action. He pounded on the door of the adjacent racquetball court, calling for help.
Rich, a player on the court next door, knew CPR and began compressions. Another player retrieved an automated external defibrillator (AED), while a third called 911. Dave estimates he began receiving chest compressions less than a minute after hitting the ground.
An AED uses voice prompts, lights, and text to instruct the rescuer on steps to take. Dave later learned that the AED called for a shock to be administered to his chest about a minute and 40 seconds after he collapsed.
Harrowing Scene
Complicating matters, Dave fell backward when he lost consciousness and in doing so sustained a head injury. The onlookers caring for him worried he might bleed out.
Despite the adversity, the group kept up their work. By the time first responders arrived, Dave was awake and alert. He soon heard the words that prompted his initial disbelief: “The paramedic looked at me and said, ‘Dave, we believe you had a heart attack.’”
It was a full-circle moment as Dave took in the faces of colleagues he’d worked with for years. Only now he was on the receiving end of help.
“I hate the word surreal. But I can’t say anything without using that word,” Dave says. “Who in the world would think, the same department where you worked for 31 years is going to be the one that’s going to be there when you wake up from your heart attack?”
Diagnosis & Treatment
First responders brought Dave to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton, the hub for ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care. When he arrived, Dave says the scene was akin to the classic TV show “M*A*S*H.” Everyone was ready and waiting for him, and he received carefully choreographed care.
“It went flawlessly, as far as I’m concerned,” Dave says. “Everybody was amazing.”
Imaging to evaluate for a skull fracture came back clear. Soon after, Dave saw ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care Cardiologist Dr. Ameer Kabour.
He soon learned that plaque had loosened and led to a 100% blockage of his left anterior descending artery. This is often called the widow-maker artery.
Dr. Kabour placed a stent to treat the blockage.
“A heart attack results from the shutting down one of the heart arteries. This eliminates blood flow and oxygen delivery to a specific area of the heart muscle,” Dr. Kabour says. “Placing a stent helps restore a person’s blood flow to normal and can stop further damage in the heart muscle.”
Dave also had an 80% blockage in another artery. A month or so later, he underwent a second procedure for that blockage.
Understanding Risks
Though Dave has always strived for a healthy lifestyle, he knows that some factors are beyond control. Several members of his immediate and extended family had experienced heart attacks. Dave now ensures his two sons and two daughters know and understand their risk.
“Having a strong family history is a major risk factor for having a heart attack, even if you’re healthy,” Dr. Kabour says. “That’s especially true when someone has a high pulse rate when exercising.”
People with a family history of heart disease should have ongoing conversations with their health care team, Dr. Kabour says. They may recommend diagnostic testing that can discover blockages before they lead to a heart attack or damage the heart.
Now a year out from his heart attack, Dave has made some lifestyle modifications. He’s resumed his active lifestyle and put increased focus on eating a healthy diet. That’s included reducing his intake of sodium and processed foods.
Reflection and Gratitude
Dave, who lives in a small community between Neenah and Oshkosh, understands how lucky he was. Thanks to the actions of the people around him, Dave has more precious time to spend with his wife, four children, and four grandchildren.
Dave has gone out of his way to thank the people who helped save his life. That group includes his friend, Steve, and the bystanders who rallied to help him as well as YMCA staff, firefighters, paramedics, and the team at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton.
“The outcome of what happened to me was so good because of every individual who played a part,” he says.
“When someone is having a heart attack and cardiac arrest, emergency steps are so important,” Dr. Kabour says. “Performing immediate CPR, calling 911, and using the AED are crucial to saving lives.”
Dave urges others to act quickly if something with their health feels amiss.
“Believe what your body is telling you. If there’s something you’ve never felt before, listen,” he says. “The worst that can happen is that you overreacted.”
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