Hospital Worker Had 3 Attacks in 4 Days. This May Have Saved His Life

• 62-year-old Tommy Bell survived three coronary heart assaults within the span of 4 days.
• Bell acquired care on the similar hospital the place he has labored for 10 years.
• He’s sharing his story to assist increase consciousness about coronary heart assault signs and prevention.

On November 26, 2025, 62-year-old Tommy Bell had simply completed a shift at AdventHealth DeLand Hospital, the place he had labored for over 10 years because the Affected person Transport Supervisor.

On his drive dwelling whereas speaking together with his spouse, Joi, he felt stress within the heart of his chest that endured on and off. The sensation pushed him to drive again to AdventHealth’s ER division.

After docs carried out checks and imaging, Bell was scheduled for a cardiac process two days later, on Friday, November 28. Throughout restoration within the hospital, Bell had a coronary heart assault and acquired a stent to normalize blood circulation.

As soon as stabilized, he was moved to intensive care to recuperate and was discharged dwelling two days later.

“Previous to that day, I had by no means skilled something like that earlier than. The one signs of a heart attack that I knew of have been what I had seen on TV—chest ache, ache down the arm, etcetera,” Bell informed Healthline.

Whereas recovering at dwelling, he nonetheless didn’t really feel proper, and his spouse took him again to the ER, the place he went on to have a second and third coronary heart assault on December 2, 2025.

Regardless of the trauma, Bell stated it was reassuring to get care in a well-known place.

“Realizing that I used to be being cared for by the those who I see and make snort every day made me really feel at dwelling. Simply understanding the extent of care and assist of my co-workers was comforting in my time of want,” he stated.

He knew each one who cared for him by identify.

“Though it was unusual being on the opposite aspect of issues, I knew I used to be in good fingers by the easiest at what they do,” he stated.

After two weeks off for restoration and to regain his power, Bell returned to work.

“My restoration included being surrounded by my work household and my dwelling household,” he stated. “There was not a day that glided by that somebody from the hospital didn’t attain out to examine in on me. The assist was phenomenal!”

Bell hopes that sharing his story will assist unfold consciousness in regards to the completely different coronary heart assault symptoms and who could also be at greater danger of recurrent cardiac occasions.

“I felt it on my coronary heart to share my story as a result of if I will help save a life by reminding individuals to take heed to their our bodies, I’ve completed what God has referred to as me to do,” Bell stated.

Janak Bhavsar, MD, an interventional heart specialist at AdventHealth, who was a part of Bell’s care crew, stated that recurrent cardiac occasions like these Bell skilled can happen extra typically than some individuals might imagine, particularly if there are a number of danger elements, equivalent to:

“Controlling the chance elements is essential for stopping future occasions. Life-style modifications, together with train packages, food plan management, sleep high quality, and weight reduction, are essential parts,” he informed Healthline.

Bhavsar added that the truth that Bell didn’t ignore his signs and went to the ER instantly when he developed them allowed docs to acknowledge his situation and deal with him instantly.

“Coronary heart assault can current with some signs that aren’t traditional. There might be ache within the neck, jaw, arms, again, or abdomen, which generally is a symptom/warning signal,” he stated. “Generally the signs might be nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and sweating (diaphoresis).”

Based on the American Heart Association, roughly 20% to 50% of coronary heart assaults are “silent” or ignored, typically misattributed to indigestion, muscle pressure, or fatigue.

After individuals obtain a stent, Bhavsar stated it’s essential that they proceed taking medicines, particularly blood thinners, which may stop clotting within the stent.

“Monitor for signs, together with chest ache, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and search assist if signs happen,” he stated. “Observe up with cardiology and first care is essential. Sufferers can also profit from packages equivalent to cardiac rehabilitation.”

To enhance coronary heart well being, Bhavsar stated controlling danger elements, together with hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, and diabetes, in addition to quitting smoking, will help. Staying bodily lively, particularly with cardio train, sustaining a wholesome weight, following a Mediterranean diet, and getting enough sleep are additionally efficient way of life methods.

Caring for sufferers like Bell and seeing them make full restoration and wholesome way of life changes is rewarding for Bhavsar.

“I used to be capable of work together with [Tommy] in a number of settings, together with the ER, process room, ICU, medical unit, outpatient workplace for follow-up, and coming again full circle seeing him within the hallways on the hospital when he returned to work, and offering entire individual look after him in these completely different settings,” he stated.