Woman Able To Celebrate Birthday After Surviving Heart Attack

By Chris Howell, NewsOn6.com

BROKEN ARROW, OK -- Carol Bryan called her birthday Tuesday the birthday that almost wasn't. She collapsed during lunch last April at her workplace, the Church of Saint Benedict in Broken Arrow.

Her co-workers had recently been trained in CPR, and while her son Alan performed CPR, a co-worker called paramedics immediately.

"She had what we call a ventricular fibrillation, a cardiac arrest," explained Parish Nurse Jeanne Draughon. "Because they instantaneously called 911 as soon as Carol collapsed, and lowered her to the ground and started CPR on her, that bought her the time that was necessary for her to survive."

Carol survived the heart attack thanks to her co-workers, son and the quick response of the paramedics who arrived with a defibrillator within four minutes.

Carol said this type of heart attack is deadly 97% of the time and she has since learned it is hereditary and probably was the reason for the untimely deaths of both her grandfather and an aunt.

The Church of Saint Benedict is thrilled about Carol's recovery and has decided to offer CPR classes in her honor.

The classes will be Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Registration is required in advance and classes are filling rapidly.

To enroll, visit http://www.tulsacpr.com or call 918-596-3600