Surviving a STEMI Thanks to Rapid Response and Specialized Expertise
Surviving a STEMI Thanks to Rapid Response and Specialized Expertise
July 11, 2025
Paul Harris - Mt. Pleasant, MI
It was a sunny afternoon in July that changed the lives of the Harris family. Paul (46) and his wife, Ari, were shoveling mulch for their garden in Mt. Pleasant and decided to take a break in the shade. Paul, healthy with no known medical conditions, couldn’t seem to cool down. After drinking some water, he poured an entire bottle over his head but experienced no relief. He told Ari something was "off," and he needed to be seen by a doctor.
As they drove to the Emergency Department at MyMichigan Medical Center Mt. Pleasant, Ari saw all color drain from his face. Paul was rushed in for evaluation, and coded; he was having a massive ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) heart attack. Thanks to the quick action of the emergency team and transport to MyMichigan Medical Center Midland for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), Paul is close to a full recovery.
A STEMI heart attack is the most serious kind because one of the heart’s main supply arteries is completely blocked. After coding in the emergency department, the team was able to revive Paul with CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED). They understood that Paul would need advanced care at the Heart and Vascular Center in Midland.
“It was such a shock and as scary as you would imagine,” said Ari. “The emergency team not only saved Paul’s life, they took excellent care of me, guiding me and helping me put one foot in front of the other as it was happening.”
Interventional Cardiologist Stephen Mattichak, M.D., and the STEMI team were waiting for the ambulance to arrive and Paul was rushed to the Cardiac Cath Lab. There Dr. Mattichak performed a balloon angioplasty procedure to open up Paul’s right coronary artery which was 99 percent blocked. After stenting the artery and restoring blood flow to Paul’s heart, Dr. Mattichak also inserted a left ventricular assist heart pump device (LVAD) to help Paul’s heart muscle recuperate from the cardiogenic shock caused by his severe heart attack.
“I was able to be with Paul once he was out of the Cath Lab. He had so many tubes and wires attached to his body,” Ari explained. “The nursing and medical staff took time and great care to explain what each was for. They let me know what the numbers on equipment displays meant in a calm, clear way. That was so important for me. The hospital staff kept me in the loop as they were keeping him alive.”
“When I first regained consciousness, I had no idea where I was or what had happened,” Paul shared. “I couldn't open my eyes or talk, but I could hear. After identifying the voices of my wife and sister, I heard the compassionate communication from the nursing staff in the ICU; they were so wonderful. One of my nurses even applied some light humor to the situation, and I will remember that for the rest of my life. Everyone was focused on my care and wellbeing which made processing this traumatic event just a little bit easier.”
After the LVAD was removed and Paul had several days of healing, he was discharged from the Medical Center and began cardiac rehab at nearby MyMichigan Medical Center Alma. The Harris family continued to be impressed by the care they’ve received.
“Not only did the therapists concentrate on his physical recovery, they also helped with his emotional and mental recovery,” said Ari. “They acknowledged that Paul had lived through something extraordinary and that he would need time, patience and effort to rebound. They were very encouraging and made us feel as though there was no better place we could be.”
While Paul may not have been able to prevent his heart attack, he has come to embrace components of physical, medical and emotional self-care as part of his healing journey. Ari has, too. They are grateful each and every day.
“I've had occasion to subsequently visit with the nursing staff in Midland, the entire medical team in the Mt. Pleasant ER, the team of first responders who got me from Mt. Pleasant to Midland, and my cardiac rehab team. I just can't say enough good things about them,” said Paul. “Every single person involved - and there were so many of them - was laser focused on helping me. I felt so very well cared for in a situation that was more intense and serious than any I've experienced.”
Paul is back to light exercise and the two recently took a trip to Mexico to get away and relax. Paul has also taken trips to see his caregivers in Alma, Midland and Mt. Pleasant with treats as a way of saying thank you. “All of the MyMichigan Health teams we encountered offered expertise and kindness that made our life-altering event bearable. We are forever thankful,” said Ari.
Those who would like additional information about the comprehensive heart and vascular services available at MyMichigan Health, may visit www.mymichigan.org/heart.
