Quick thinking and thorough care save St. Louis County sheriff’s deputy’s life

Scott Garrick, a resident of Hoyt Lakes, has always led an active lifestyle. Garrick was hired last year as a St. Louis County sheriff's deputy after previously serving as a police officer. During a training session on Sept. 3, 2024, he experienced something that would change his life forever. It started with chest pain, which he initially dismissed. But the pain intensified, and he soon blacked out.

At just 37 years old, Garrick had gone into cardiac arrest.

“It was scary,” he said. “I had no idea what was going on.”

The situation quickly turned critical. He was in and out of consciousness for about 20 minutes. His colleagues at the training facility acted swiftly, performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED), which was donated by Essentia Health, to administer seven shocks. He was then rushed to Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.

There, Dr. Nicole Worden, an interventional cardiologist, discovered that two of Garrick’s main arteries were blocked – one 70%, the other 80%.

“Dr. Worden and the nursing staff took really good care of me,” Garrick explained. “They worked through all my questions and concerns and assured me I was going to be OK.”

Garrick had two stents put in to keep his arteries open and increase blood flow.

"In heart attacks like Scott’s, it is vital for everyone involved to act quickly,” said Dr. Worden. “The faster that blood flow is restored to the heart, the better chance the person has of living and not suffering from heart failure long-term. From his case, it is clear that education about heart attacks and strokes is vital to saving lives within the community.”

“The whole care team took really good care of me,” Garrick said.

With no family history of heart disease, Garrick is left with questions about how and why this happened to him. But one thing he’s certain of – seek medical help if you feel like something is off.

“I had been swimming a few days before this happened and experienced some chest pain, but I just dismissed it as being out of shape,” Garrick said. “In hindsight, I should have gone to the doctor. That would be my biggest recommendation to people – don’t dismiss your health, and seek care if something doesn’t feel right.”

After his hospital stay, Garrick committed to Essentia’s three-month cardiac rehabilitation program. He continues to work out, eat healthy, manage stress levels and take his medications. Despite having good cholesterol levels and a heart that tested as strong as an endurance runner’s, Garrick is still puzzled by the severity of his blockage at such a young age.

“Most people in Scott’s age group should be trying to prevent the onset of heart disease,” said Dr. Worden. “The American Heart Association recommends eight simple actions to prevent heart disease. People should not hesitate to seek care for symptoms that are concerning for a heart problem.”

Knowing when to seek heart care

You should see your primary care physician if you have a family history of heart disease or if you experience dizzy spells, shortness of breath or chest pain.

Your doctor may refer you to a heart specialist for further testing and treatment.

General risk factors include:

• Chest pain, pressure, burning, aching or tightness, which may come and go.
• A family history of cardiovascular disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Overweight or obese.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Using tobacco products.
• Metabolic disease, diabetes or other illnesses.
• Taking certain birth control pills, a history of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or having a low-birth-weight baby.

Be aware of the following symptoms

Some heart attack symptoms can be different between men and women. Why does it matter? Women may be less likely to seek immediate medical care, which can cause more damage to the heart.

• Typical heart pain presents as chest pressure in the central or left side of the chest.
• Women and diabetic people may have atypical symptoms, such as:

• Feeling completely exhausted, drained, dizzy or nauseous.
• Feeling upper back pain that travels up into their jaw.
• Pain that spreads above the jawbone or arms.
• Difficult or labored breathing.

Did you know?

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, including among both men and women in the United States. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), nearly 2,500 people in the U.S. die from cardiovascular disease every day, with the most common type of heart disease being coronary artery disease.