SVMH heart attack survivor shares his incredible story

About 375,000 people die of heart disease each year and with February being “Heart Month”-one local man is sharing his story of survival to raise awareness. We spoke with him about his incredible story and the people who helped save his life.

Doctors said Derek Cromartie technically and clinically died on Dec. 22, 2013. They also discovered that day he has a heart rhythm disorder. It can cause sudden death in young, otherwise healthy people. That’s why Cromartie is adamant about others checking their hearts.

“His eyes are rolling back and he’s just not breathing,” wife Marissa Cromartie said, as she described her husband Derek’s incident during a heart attack.

Cromartie recounts the time she saw her husband gasping for air and quickly dialed 911.

“He’s not doing well,” Marissa explained.

She’s calmer now as she recounts the moment back in 2013.

“He was just struggling for air and at first he was able to sit himself up and was just gasping and gasping and then he fell back and his eyes rolled back to his head,” Marissa said.

Derek would spend several days in the intensive care unit at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.

“That first night was pretty rough, we were about to resesutate,” said Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Dr. Misty Narravo.

But thanks to so many, he would come home to his wife and son.

“I’m really, really grateful that i’m here today to see my wife, raise my kids, and be there for my family,” Derek said.

Derek’s story could have been very different. He has a rare heart rhythm disorder that can cause sudden death in otherwise healthy people.

“I was in shock, like can this happen to me? I eat well,” Derek said.

Doctors say many people with heart issues don’t show any symptoms. That’s why Derek said going to the doctor, even when something doesn’t seem wrong, could be life-saving. He now has an ICD, or implantable cardioverter defibrillator, in his chest. It automatically shocks his heart if something goes wrong.