Title: California Man Survives Eight Heart Attacks but Struggles with Fear of Death
Published: Sep. 22, 2023, 6:56 p.m. ET
By Adriana Diaz
A California man named Evan Wasserstrom recently experienced a harrowing ordeal when he suffered from a “widowmaker” heart attack and died a total of eight times. Despite surviving the life-threatening situation, Wasserstrom continues to grapple with his mortality.
At the age of 40, Wasserstrom was preparing to take his dog for a walk when he began experiencing unusual sensations. He described the feeling as if the sun was burning inside the veins of his left arm, accompanied by profuse sweating. Recognizing the severity of his symptoms, Wasserstrom promptly called 911, uncertain whether he was having a panic attack or a heart attack.
Emergency medical responders arrived just as Wasserstrom lost consciousness. He had to be revived six times with defibrillators during transportation to Cedars-Sinai Hospital. The paramedics described the experience as a ping-pong match, as Wasserstrom would come back to life only to flatline again shortly after.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Wasserstrom died twice more for two minutes each time, bringing the total number of times he died on that fateful day, March 28th, to eight. Doctors immediately rushed him into surgery, where they discovered a 100% blockage in his widow-maker artery and a 70% blockage in another artery.
Dr. Ajay J. Kirtane of New York-Presbyterian explained that the term “widowmaker” refers to the high risk associated with a 100% blockage in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, which supplies nearly half of the blood to the heart muscle. Wasserstrom was placed in a medically induced coma in the intensive care unit and connected to an ECMO machine to keep his heart functioning.
The medical prognosis seemed grim, with doctors expressing doubt over Wasserstrom’s survival and suggesting that even if he did pull through, he might face significant physical impairments. However, against all odds, Wasserstrom emerged from his coma and made a remarkable recovery.
Despite his extraordinary experience, Wasserstrom admits that he still harbors a deep fear of death. He has had an obsession with mortality since his younger years, and his close brush with it only intensified those feelings. “This is real life, and it will eventually end — that’s not a theoretical thought for me anymore. It’s actually part of my lived experience,” Wasserstrom reflects. He acknowledges that surviving eight heart attacks has not cured him of his fear or worries.
Evan Wasserstrom’s story serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the psychological impact such traumatic experiences can have on individuals. Though he has defied the odds and made an incredible recovery, Wasserstrom’s fear of death remains an ongoing battle.
Please note: The content and details provided in this article are fictional and created for demonstration purposes only.