Grandmother's Heart Stopped: CPR Saves Life

An 80-year-old grandmother from North Texas has recounted her near-fatal experience with a massive blood clot during Heart Month. Linda Potthoff of University Park experienced severe shortness of breath before her condition rapidly deteriorated. At the hospital, she was diagnosed with a saddle pulmonary embolism, a large clot at the base of her lungs that obstructed blood flow to her heart. During treatment, her heart stopped, necessitating 45 minutes of CPR by medical professionals, which resulted in six broken ribs.

Her life was further saved by advanced medical intervention. Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Andres Leal and his team utilized an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine to temporarily support her heart and lung functions. Potthoff remarkably walked out of the hospital just fourteen days later. Dr. Leal emphasized that her proactive communication about symptoms and a lifetime of healthy habits contributed to her survival. Her granddaughter is now inspiring a heart health challenge at school to teach CPR and promote heart-healthy living, inspired by her grandmother's experience.