“Life will throw obstacles in your path, but how you respond to them is what truly defines you.”
The Mixsons
Cardiological rehabilitation
Fort Worth, TX, August 8, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For Hunter Mixson, playing football was as natural as breathing. But less than a minute into the game, the otherwise agile 30-year-old felt a tightness in his chest. Confused, Mixson tried to continue jogging before suddenly collapsing from a life-threatening heart condition called spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).
After five days at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, where he underwent cardiac catheterization and coronary artery bypass surgery, Mixon is now participating in several weeks of cardiac rehabilitation.
“I’m young and healthy, and I was dealing with something I had never heard of,” Mixson said.
Although SCAD can affect adults of any age, it occurs most often in women in their 40s and 50s, especially those who are considered relatively healthy. Unlike a normal heart attack, in which a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart, SCAD occurs when bleeding or bruising causes a separation between the layers of the artery wall, then expands and cuts off blood flow to the artery, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Cardiac symptoms – chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness – sometimes resemble other health conditions such as acid reflux or musculoskeletal pain, said Brendan Reagan MD, an interventional cardiologist on the medical staff at Texas Health Fort Worth.
“Immediate medical treatment can make the difference in minimizing heart damage or even between life and death,” Reagan stressed.
Receive specialized cardiac treatment
After Mixson’s teammates called 911, paramedics took him to Texas Health Fort Worth. Bill Reed, BSN, RN, a critical care nurse at the hospital, said Mixson was exhibiting the classic signs of a heart attack, but with a few peculiarities. His chest pain and breathing would quickly return to normal. Even Mixson’s echocardiogram, an ultrasound machine that produces images of the heart, showed no signs of blockage in his arteries.
The nursing team decided that a cardiac catheterization was necessary.
“That’s when they saw my severed arteries. And that’s when I first heard about SCAD,” Mixson said.
Carlos Macias, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon on the medical staff at Texas Health Fort Worth, said Mixson’s condition was critical. Tears in two of his arteries were cutting off blood supply to his heart. Doctors decided coronary artery bypass surgery was the best course of action.
“Mr. Mixson had severe tears in the arteries that surround the entire heart muscle. It was life-threatening and required immediate treatment,” Macias said.
After taking a blood vessel from Mixson’s right leg (called a graft), Macias diverted blood around both torn arteries and restored blood flow to his heart.
Mixson said he is grateful to many people at Texas Health Fort Worth. “From the staff who brought me my food to the doctors and surgeons who saved my life, they were incredible,” he said. “My nurse, Bill Reed, is definitely a superhero. He was so attentive and treated me like I was the only person there.”
Regaining trust after SCAD
Mixson is looking forward to completing his cardiac rehabilitation later this month.
Cardiac rehabilitation is about more than just physical fitness after a cardiac event, says Reagan, Mixson’s interventional cardiologist and a member of Texas Health Heart and Vascular Specialists, a practice of Texas Health Physicians Group*.
“It gives patients the confidence that they can safely resume most physical activities without damaging their heart.”
Mixson has been playing soccer since he was four years old and is grateful to be back on the field.
“Life will throw obstacles in your path, but how you respond to them is what truly defines you. I am here and despite a major setback, I am still doing what I love.”
Click here to learn how Texas Health is improving cardiac and vascular care throughout North Texas.
*Physicians employed by Texas Health Physicians Group are independent practitioners and are not employees or agents of Texas Health Resources hospitals.
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For pictures and the accompanying video please contact Chandra Caradine.
About Texas Health Resources:
Texas Health Resources is a faith-affiliated, not-for-profit health system that serves more patients in North Texas than any other provider. With a service area consisting of 16 counties and more than 7 million people, the system is committed to providing high-quality, coordinated care through its Texas Health Physicians Group and 29 hospital locations under the names Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Texas Health Harris Methodist and Texas Health Huguley. Texas Health’s access points and services, which range from acute care hospitals and trauma centers to outpatient facilities and home health and preventive services, provide the full spectrum of care for all stages of life. The system has more than 4,100 licensed hospital beds, 6,400 physicians with active staff privileges and nearly 29,000 employees. For more information about Texas Health, call 1-877-THR-WELL or www.TexasHealth.org.
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CONTACT: Chandra L. Caradine Texas Health Resources [email protected]
