Two Runners Go Into Cardiac Arrest During Half Marathon

Two male runners collapsed and needed medical attention at the Monterey Bay Half Marathon on November 13th.

Fellow runner and local cardiologist Steven Lome, D.O., administered life-saving medical care to both runners.

Two Runners Go Into Cardiac Arrest During Monterey Bay Half Marathon…

Runner Steven Lome, a Cardiologist, performed CPR on both…

"I just thought, crazy odds, random event that there were 2 cardiac arrests, and both happened to be right in front of me"…

– Washington Post

— Dr. James E. Olsson (@DrJamesOlsson) November 24, 2022

Lome described the events in this Twitter thread:

At mile 3 right in front of me a runner went down. Cardiac arrest. Started CPR…people called 911. Defibrillator arrived in about 6 minutes and rhythm was ventricular fibrillation (fatal arrhythmia). One shock and normal heart rhythm restored.

— Steven Lome (@SteveLome) November 19, 2022

I crossed the finish line and threw my arms in the air…and ANOTHER runner goes down right in front of me. Completely out. No pulse. Started CPR. Within 1-2 minutes a race volunteer brought an AED (defibrillator). Placed the pads on his chest.

— Steven Lome (@SteveLome) November 19, 2022

Both had undiagnosed heart disease, out of hospital cardiac arrest and made full recoveries.

What are the odds that two people have a cardiac arrest in one race?

What are the odds they both make a full recovery (normally only 5% survive out of hospital cardiac arrest)?

— Steven Lome (@SteveLome) November 19, 2022

Being alert and ready to bring an AED as fast as possible saved two lives. The @American_Heart Association and @ACCinTouch have been great promoting this.

I still can’t believe this happened. Enjoy every day. Focus on your health.

— Steven Lome (@SteveLome) November 19, 2022

Dramatically reduce or eliminate animal foods, focus on eating as much unprocessed plant based foods as you can. Exercise is only 20% of heart health, diet is the most important part!

For those in healthcare, check out the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. @ACLifeMed

— Steven Lome (@SteveLome) November 19, 2022

Did either of the runners take the experimental COVID-19 shot or boosters?

Shouldn’t that be a consideration due to the disturbing trend of sudden collapses and deaths since the COVID-19 jab rollout began?

The Monterey Herald reported:

Monterey Bay Half Marathon Medical Director John Ellison said the first incident occurred between Mile 3 and Mile 4 of the race, where a runner collapsed on the pavement. Runners going by stopped to perform CPR until an ambulance arrived with a defibrillator.

When the ambulance arrived, Ellison said the runner on the ground needed a shock to restore a normal heart rhythm because it was fibrillating, or rather, irregular.

“…A fibrillating heart is quivering but not really beating and means death if nothing is done,” Ellison explained.

After the runner’s heart rate was restored to normal, he “somewhat miraculously woke up,” Ellison continued. By the time he was transferred to the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, the runner was awake and talking.

Ellison said that when he was notified of the first incident, he “thought to (himself), ‘that was our once-in-a-decade event at the half marathon.’” A second incident, however, occurred at the end of the race.

Another male runner went down just past the finish line, who likewise received CPR from a fellow entrant. Ellison said it was a local cardiologist who happened to be finishing the race at the same time that performed the life-saving measure. Following chest compressions, the second runner in cardiac arrest also needed to be shocked into a normal rhythm from a fibrillating heart, this time from a medical volunteer equipped with a defibrillator unit. The runner woke up 10-15 seconds later. He was subsequently transferred to Community Hospital.

Both men were middle-aged and experienced runners, Ellison said, adding that “neither was a novice” and “felt like they were prepared for the run.”