Andy Hoang was excited to start her new nursing position in New Hampshire this year, with a particular interest in working in the field of cardiac care.

She eagerly anticipated the November training on how to assist someone experiencing cardiac arrest. However, as the event began at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 23-year-old Hoang began to feel lightheaded and queasy. She felt the urge to take a seat.

“That’s the last thing I remember,” she told The Associated Press in an interview. “I woke up to a room full of doctors and nurses.”

She was the one who had a cardiac arrest and required urgent assistance. Her coworkers quickly responded by performing chest compressions on her instead of a mannequin in a simulated setting.

According to instructor Lisa Davenport, one individual checked their carotid artery while another checked their femoral artery, but neither found a pulse.

The nurses initiated CPR and alerted the “code blue” team for a medical emergency.

Davenport expressed that the most taxing aspect of the situation was the lack of a true code blue in the center. She mentioned that they constantly prepared for such emergencies.

Davenport called for assistance. Fortunately, the critical care staff from the Lebanon hospital were in the vicinity, participating in a different session. Additional nurses arrived and connected Hoang to a defibrillator for observation, inserted an IV line, and provided her with oxygen. A physician and nurse from another department quickly arrived with emergency equipment.

By the time the emergency team arrived, Hoang had already woken up. Davenport approximated that 15 minutes had elapsed from the moment Hoang collapsed to when she was placed on a stretcher and taken to the emergency department. However, it seemed like a much longer period of time.

She expressed that although it ultimately succeeded, it was quite scary for everyone involved. She never imagined something like that happening with someone as young as Andy.

Charmaine Martin, a nurse who was present, acknowledged that it was a frightening experience, but also one where she felt supported and worked together with the rest of the team, as stated in her statement.

Hoang, who had just gone back to work, was also in disbelief about the situation.

She described herself as a typical, healthy 23-year-old. She regularly goes to the gym, runs, and maintains a healthy diet. Due to her demanding job, which requires her to be on her feet for 12-13 hours a day, she prioritizes staying in shape.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiac arrest, which is the sudden cessation of heart function, results in over 436,000 fatalities annually in the United States. It should not be confused with a heart attack, which occurs when there is a blockage in the blood flow to the heart.

A individual may experience cardiac arrest following a heart attack, however, the organization states that other circumstances can also interfere with the heart’s rhythm and result in cardiac arrest. These can include a thickened heart muscle or cardiomyopathy, heart failure, arrhythmias, and other conditions.

Based on data collected by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack rises as a person ages. It is uncommon for someone under the age of 30 to suffer from one. In younger individuals, the primary risk factors are genetic arrhythmias, heart structure issues, coronary artery problems, heart inflammation, and substance abuse. Additionally, the majority of cardiac arrests happen in men, and women are more at risk after going through menopause.

Before experiencing cardiac arrest, Hoang had fainted twice. The first instance was due to low blood sugar from not eating, while the second time was preceded by a sudden abdominal pain.

“She stated that there was nothing quite like this, nothing of this magnitude.”

Hoang, a native of Vietnam, immigrated to the US in 2016 as a student. She stated that there is no record of heart issues in her family. After completing her nursing degree in Michigan, she resided with a family in Montana before relocating to New Hampshire.

During her recovery, Hoang utilized a patch that documented the electrical signals of her heart. Medical professionals are looking to gain further insights from this information.

The encounter has enhanced her bond with the fellow nurses – Hoang now considers them her closest companions. “We essentially endured this intense life-threatening situation,” she stated.

“Martin expressed his gratitude towards Andy for her bravery. He considers her not only an exceptional nurse, but also a dear friend.”

Hoang expressed that she doesn’t just feel like an employee at work, but rather a member of a family. Her relatives informed AP that they are incredibly thankful that she was in the presence of medical professionals when she experienced a cardiac arrest.

The compassionate care provided by nurses to her late grandfather inspired Hoang to change her professional path from graphic design to nursing. However, she never imagined that she would one day become a patient herself.

“It completely altered my outlook on life,” she expressed. “It made me realize the importance of cherishing your loved ones and expressing your love to them, as it may be the last chance you have. Appreciate the gift of life and its preciousness, something I didn’t fully grasp until I almost lost it.”