Pastor Andy Winters began his Easter Sunday 2024 sermon with a thank-you for support following a sudden heart attack.

“Life changes fast,” Andy told his Zanesville Christian and Missionary Alliance Church congregation, where he has been lead pastor since 2006.

Andy started March 18, 2024, like many Mondays. He prepared for a church meeting and worked on his next sermon. He then headed to the gym for a routine workout.

Andy felt discomfort while using a machine and attributed it to asthma. Pressure built in his chest after he moved to a second machine. He wasn’t sure what to do next. 

No heart attack drills in life

 “I decided to press on and keep going,” said Andy. He wondered if the trouble was with his heart. “I soon realized something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t walk things off.”

He managed to walk downstairs to the locker room. After showering, he was still soaked in sweat. Andy said he was stumbling, unable to pick up his phone.

He walked to the parking lot, hoping to drive to the hospital. “I probably should have stopped exercising sooner than I did,” said Andy. “I didn’t know all the things you should do. We don’t have heart attack drills like fire drills.”

Andy realized he had left his phone behind and drove to the entrance, asking someone to retrieve it.

Andy called his wife, Cyndi. “Now, don’t panic,” Andy said. “But I think I’m having a heart attack ... could you come and get me?” 

Urgent response 

Cyndi quickly advised Andy to call 911. Members of Genesis Community Ambulance began treating Andy on the scene before rushing him to the hospital.

Andy asked God for strength. He told an emergency medical technician (EMT) to tell Cyndi he loved her. The EMT replied, “Oh no, you’re going to tell her yourself.”

Arriving at the Genesis Emergency Department, he was quickly rushed to the cardiac catheterization lab for an emergent procedure. Andy’s anterior heart wall artery, notoriously known as the widowmaker artery, was 100% blocked. The vessel was emergently opened, and two stents were placed.

Kinan Kassar, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Interventional Cardiologist at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute, was Andy’s heart doctor.

“When Andy arrived at the Emergency Department, his heart condition was critical,” said Dr. Kassar. “Our EMTs did an exceptional job stabilizing him until we could perform the life-saving procedure.” 

“My care was excellent.”

Returning to the bike

Andy was discharged in two days. He compliments Dr. Kassar and Genesis Community Ambulance for their excellent care. Andy encourages others to trust their medical symptoms and seek help as soon as possible.

As Andy continues recovering from the heart stent procedure, he has returned to his active lifestyle, including long walks and workouts. He is also back to biking. This past summer, he completed a 120-mile ride in Michigan with friends. 

Heart attack symptoms

The American Heart Association provides these warning signs of a heart attack. Men and women experience varying symptoms. Even if you don’t think it’s a heart attack, immediately call 911 for help. 

• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Arm or shoulder discomfort or pain.
• Feeling a cold sweat.
• Pain in the jaw, neck or back.
• Shortness of breath.
• Vomiting, feeling lightheaded or nauseous. 

Learn more at genesishcs.org/heart.