EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was submitted by Banik Communications for the Montana Cardiovascular Health Program, part of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, which is running a Heart Health Awareness Campaign in Yellowstone County.

A massive heart attack is often fatal. Clinically dying twice is unbelievable. Living today to tell his story is priceless.

That’s exactly what happened to Kevin Fisher, just 44 years old, from Billings.

On May 20, Fisher was at a friend’s house sitting at the kitchen table after taking a nap, when all of a sudden he turned gray and fell over dead.

Luckily for Fisher, he has some really good friends. They immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and called 9-1-1, which may have very well saved his life.

After Fisher arrived at Billings Clinic by ambulance, his heart stopped beating two more times. He said doctors later told him that they were ready to give up on him, but for some reason, they kept working on him.

Fisher had some stents put into his coronary artery to restore blood flow to his heart and was put in a clinically induced coma. He woke up a week and a half later with half his memory wiped out.

It turned out that Fisher had a 99 percent blockage in his left coronary artery. He said he has always considered himself a healthy and fit person, so having a heart attack was the furthest thought from his mind.

“I love to fish, backpack, kayak and mountain bike,” Fisher said. “I love the outdoors, so it hurts that I’m physically unable to do any of it. It’s my goal, though, to get back to doing some of that.”

Looking back, Fisher realizes there were a couple of big risk factors in his life.

“Both of my parents died of heart disease,” he said. “People don’t think of that (family history). I sure didn’t. People need to be aware.”

He also smoked but has since quit.

Other risk factors for heart disease that you cannot change include increasing age, gender (heart attacks strike men at younger ages than women) and heredity.

Risk factors that you can modify, treat or control are tobacco smoke, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity and overweight, and diabetes.

Fisher expressed how important it is for everyone, especially younger people, to be aware of their health and to take proactive steps to a longer life.

“We have doctors and healthcare services for a reason,” he said. “You can’t be ashamed or embarrassed to get checked. Get your cholesterol checked, listen to your body and look at your family history. I used to think it would be embarrassing to see a doctor. Now that mindset has changed.”

He said the same about calling 9-1-1.

“Don’t be afraid to call 9-1-1, Fisher said. If you think anything is wrong, call. Don’t be a fool. It saved my life, and it could one day save yours. When you call 9-1-1, the hospital is ready to go because you came by ambulance. I had great hospital care; they knew what to do.”

Today, Fisher knows what to do to continue making progress on his health. He has learned not to get so stressed, and he has changed the way he eats. He said he also walks and rides his bike and will continue exercising even after he is done with cardiac rehab.

Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program that helps people recover from heart attacks. The combination of proper exercise and education in cardiac rehab helps people return to a normal life and also reduces the risk of future heart problems.

“I wish I could get through to more people and tell them it’s not a joke,” Fisher said. “This should have never happened to me, but because it did, I am more in tune with my health and body. Even though I did have heart damage, I am taking better care of myself so I can live a long life. I want others to do the same.”

Education is the key, he said. “Most people associate heart attacks with older folks. I’m a prime example that it can happen to anyone, at any age. People just need to be aware, slow down and start taking care of themselves.”

Unlike in Fisher’s case, symptoms of a heart attack usually begin gradually, so it’s tempting to wait before getting treatment. Waiting, however, can be deadly.

Symptoms may include chest pressure or discomfort; shortness of breath; neck, jaw or arm pain; nausea; sweating; palpitations; dizziness or extreme fatigue.

A heart health awareness campaign, emphasizing the importance of calling 9-1-1 in the event of a heart attack, is in effect for the Yellowstone County area. The campaign is a project of the Montana Cardiovascular Health Program.

To learn more about heart disease, call 1-800-AHA-USA-1 or visit www.americanheart.org.