Streamlined Emergency Response Saved Oscoda Man’s Life
STEMI Patient, Outdoorsman, Licensed Powerplant Mechanic, Welder Fabricator for Kalitta Air
“The team in the Emergency Department was like a NASCAR pit crew! Within 15 minutes I was in the cath lab. It was remarkable.”
Oscoda resident William Wright, 55, credits MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena’s emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and Regional STEMI Alert Program for saving his life. Having no family history of heart disease, normal blood pressure and leading an active life, he was surprised by a heart attack. He is grateful to have an expertly trained emergency care team close to home.
Wright is an outdoorsman who competes in bass fishing tournaments with his daughter, Heather. According to Wright, over the past year, he began noticing he was becoming tired more easily but attributed it to age and proceeded with his normal activities. On a recent holiday weekend, he became unusually worn out. He had trouble focusing at work and couldn’t explain his exhaustion.
“I managed to work on my boat a little that weekend, so on Monday my daughter and I took it out on the lake,” he explained. “It wasn’t long before I had to ask her to take us back to shore. I was so tired I couldn’t do it for us. I had to get home to lie down.”
The following morning, Wright had symptoms in addition to exhaustion. He had some esophageal and chest discomfort and pain in his left shoulder. He knew that something was definitely wrong. He had his mother drive him to the Medical Center in Alpena because he was so weak.
“As it turns out I was in the throes of a heart attack when we got there,” he recalls. “The team in the Emergency Department was like a NASCAR pit crew! Within 15 minutes I was in the cath lab. It was remarkable.”
MyMichigan Health implemented a Regional STEMI Alert Program at MyMichigan Medical Center in Alpena in autumn of 2023 to rapidly identify patients who are suffering from ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the most serious type of heart attack. In STEMI patients, the coronary artery is completely blocked off by a blood clot requiring immediate attention. This was the case for Wright.
The quick action of the ER staff upon his arrival had him in the cath lab as quickly as possible to reestablish blood flow to his heart and avoid catastrophic damage. MyMichigan’s STEMI Alert Program also involves Emergency Medical Services (EMS) who are specially trained to alert staff at the Medical Center that a patient they’re transporting is experiencing a STEMI heart attack, so that a team is ready and waiting.
“All the people were amazing and so nice,” said Wright. “I couldn’t believe how fast they were. I have nothing but positive things to say about each and every team member. We are so lucky to have the hospital in our area. I know this program will save a lot of lives like it did mine.”
Wright follows up regularly with his cardiology team at MyMichigan Cardiology & Heart Failure Clinic in Alpena and received a great report at his last checkup. He takes his medications as instructed and follows his personalized protocol as prescribed. He is back to doing all his favorite things and even says he feels as energetic as he did 10 years ago, hiking in the woods, hunting and looking forward to fishing season.
Those who would like more information about MyMichigan’s comprehensive Heart and Vascular Program or the Regional STEMI Alert Program may visit www.mymichigan.org/alpenaheartcare.
