Joe Gyorko
I never worried too much about my health – I’m not heavy or anything, but I’ve been a smoker for a long time. I was spending a quiet night with my girlfriend when I suddenly had this crushing feeling in my chest, then I blacked out. The rest of the night is just gone for me as are the next several days.
As I understand it, my heart stopped in the ambulance and EMS had to shock me with paddles to get it beating again. When I got to Citrus Memorial’s ER my heart had stopped again and they had to bring me back with the paddles several more times.
They took me up to the Cath Lab and got Dr. Upadya working on me. He put a stent in me and opened up the blocked artery that caused all the trouble in just 15 minutes. I didn’t know any of this because I was in a coma for a couple of days. In fact, I spent two weeks in the CCU before I was finally strong enough to go home.
It gives me a great feeling knowing every day that I’m still here because of Dr. Upadya and the wonderful staff in Citrus Memorial’s Heart Center. Thanks to all of you!
