When 62-year-old Glen set out for a day of volunteer work, he never imagined it would end with his life hanging in the balance. Glen, a retired salesman from Denver, North Carolina, had joined a group of volunteers from his church to help with Helene relief on Riverside Drive in the Mountain Island community ofMecklenburg County, when he started feeling dizzy, weak, and out of breath. His chest tightened and sweat poured down his face. It was 10 a.m., and the day was just beginning, but for Glen, the clock was ticking.
“I told our group leader, Suzanne, that I wasn’t feeling well and needed to go home,” Glen recalls. “She took one look at me and said, ‘You don’t look good,’ and called the medics immediately. That decision saved my life.”
When medics arrived, they found Glen sitting on the ground, pale and drenched in sweat. Using a medical cart equipped with a defibrillator, the EMS team immediately assessed his condition. His electrocardiogram (EKG) results painted a grim picture: Glen was experiencing a massive heart attack. Moments later, he lost consciousness.
“When I woke up, the EMT told me they had to use the defibrillator three times to bring me back,” Glen says. “Hearing those words shook me. I knew it was serious.”
The EMS team rushed Glen to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, where a highly specialized heart attack response team from Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute were standing by.
STEMI, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction, is a type of heart attack that requires immediate intervention to restore blood flow and minimize heart damage. Atrium Health’s comprehensive STEMI protocol ensures rapid treatment for patients like Glen.
“Every minute counts in a STEMI case,” says Dr. Nyal Borges, an interventional cardiologist and medical director of interventional cardiology at Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute. “Our team is trained to act swiftly and effectively, using protocols designed to reduce time to treatment and improve outcomes. Glen’s case is a perfect example of how critical teamwork and preparation are in saving lives.”
Precision in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
When Glen arrived at the hospital, the team acted with precision and speed. He was rushed from the emergency room to the catheterization lab, where Dr. Borges performed an emergency angioplasty procedure to clear a 100% blockage in Glen’s left anterior descending artery (LAD).
“A complete blockage here can be fatal if not treated appropriately in a timely fashion,” says Borges. “Our STEMI protocol ensures we’re ready to intervene as quickly as possible.”
Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute’s STEMI protocol is a cornerstone of its cardiovascular care. The protocol involves coordinated efforts between EMS, emergency departments, and the catheterization lab to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment.
“From the moment EMS identifies a STEMI in the field, the clock starts,” Dr. Borges explains. “Our goal is to achieve door-to-balloon time—the time from a patient’s arrival at any emergency room to the opening of the blocked artery—in under 90 minutes. For many patients, we achieve it even faster.”
Glen’s case highlights the effectiveness of this protocol. EMS administered aspirin and nitroglycerin in the field, performed an EKG to confirm the STEMI, and alerted the hospital before arrival. This seamless communication ensured the cath lab was ready and waiting when Glen arrived.
“It’s a well-oiled machine,” Dr. Borges says. “And it’s the reason we’re able to save so many lives.”
For Glen, the experience was surreal. “It felt like a NASCAR pit crew,” he says. “Everything was fast, efficient, and life-saving. They got me from the ER to the catheterization lab in what felt like no time.”
The procedure involved inserting a stent to reopen the blocked artery, restoring blood flow to Glen’s heart. Two days later, Dr. Borges performed a second procedure to address a 75% blockage in another artery. This staged approach ensured Glen’s heart had time to recover between interventions.
“Dr. Borges and his team were incredible,” Glen says. “I owe them my life.”
Recovery and Reflection
After his procedures, Glen began cardiac rehabilitation at Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute. The program combines monitored exercise with education about heart health, helping patients build strength and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Cardiac rehab is a structured, medically supervised program that helps patients regain strength, improve heart health, and reduce the risk of future heart events. The program combines monitored exercise, nutritional counseling, and education on heart-healthy lifestyle changes, all tailored to each patient’s needs.
“I didn’t know what the Mediterranean diet was before this,” Glen says. “But now I’m living it. I’ve cut out fast food and junk, and I’m exercising regularly. It’s a total lifestyle change.”
The rehab program includes sessions with exercise physiologists, who guide patients through safe and effective workouts to strengthen their cardiovascular system. Patients are also educated on managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress. Glen’s progress is carefully tracked to ensure he is meeting his health goals and rebuilding his confidence.
“Rehab is more than just physical recovery,” says Dr. Borges. “It’s about helping patients regain their quality of life, giving them the tools they need to live longer, healthier lives.”
Glen’s motivation is clear: his family. With four daughters and a new granddaughter, he’s determined to be there for the milestones to come.
“I want to see my grandbaby grow up,” he says. “That’s what keeps me going.”
Taking Charge During Heart Month
For Glen, the experience has been life-changing. He’s become an advocate for heart health, sharing his story to encourage others to take their symptoms seriously and seek care without delay.
“I’m just an average guy,” he says. “But if my story can inspire someone to make a change or get help, it’s worth it.”
Glen says he plans to participate in Atrium Health’s annual Cupid’s Cup 5K, which benefits Cardiac Rehabilitation programs at Atrium Health CMC, Pineville, Union, and Cabarrus locations. It will be held February 8th, during American Heart Month.
“This event is about celebrating life and the incredible care I received,” he says. “I’ll never take another day for granted.”
To learn more about Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and its life-saving cardiac care, visit AtriumHealth.org/heart
