Former Mayor of Lebanon's Heart Attack Recovery Journey

"If I had not gone to the emergency room, I would not be here today."

That's what Amy Brewer, the former Mayor of Lebanon, Ohio for over three decades, had to say just months after an unexpected heart attack.

When she, also a former middle school art teacher, woke up one fine day in February, Amy was feeling fabulous!

With Valentine's Day less than a week away, she was planning on getting some last-minute gifts for family and friends – and that's when it hit her.

“It felt like somebody was sitting on my chest,” Amy said of the sudden onset of symptoms. “I thought to myself, ‘Something is wrong, and I need to act upon this.’”

And while she advises others not to do the same when experiencing a potential heart issue, Amy then drove herself the ten minutes from her home to the TriHealth Bethesda Medical Center at Arrow Springs where she was immediately admitted into the emergency department upon arrival.

Following the stabilizing actions by the team members at Arrow Springs, Amy was taken to Bethesda North Hospital for further care, where she eventually found out that she had an artery blockage commonly known as the “Widowmaker.”

According to Cleveland Clinic, “A Widowmaker heart attack happens when you have a blockage in the biggest artery in your heart. That means blood can’t move through your left anterior descending (LAD) artery, which provides 50% of your heart muscle’s blood supply. Immediate treatment is crucial for a chance at survival.”

Just a few days later, Amy had three stents put in, and has since been able to fully recover!

“If I hadn’t acted,” she said, “I wouldn’t be here to tell my story.”

Amy’s heart attack truly came as a surprise – not only to herself, but to others around the community that know and love her.

“I really live a very healthy, active lifestyle,” Amy told us in the aftermath of all this. “People in my community said to me that if I could have a heart attack, any one of us could.”

Amy shared that she has an extensive family history of coronary disease, and that her genetics most definitely played a large role in the heart attack she experienced. She says the most important thing – is to listen to your own body if something feels off.

“Many people have symptoms prior to a heart attack,” Amy shared. “You can be experiencing those for weeks and weeks.”

Amy is now back to doing the things she loves – she stays active, sees her friends and family, and best of all is living life!

“I have no heart damage,” she proudly shared towards the end of her interview. “It felt like I just got the most amazing, amazing care.”

Learn more about the wonderful work done by the TriHealth Heart & Vascular Institute today.