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 obtained care on the identical hospital the place he has labored for 10 years.
• He’s sharing his story to assist elevate 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 along with his spouse, Joi, he felt stress within the heart of his chest that persevered on and off. The sensation pushed him to drive again to AdventHealth’s ER division.

After medical doctors 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 obtained a stent to normalize blood movement.

As soon as stabilized, he was moved to intensive care to get better 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 had been what I had seen on TV—chest ache, ache down the arm, etcetera,” Bell advised 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 mentioned it was reassuring to get care in a well-recognized place.

“Figuring out that I used to be being cared for by the those that I see and make chuckle each 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 mentioned.

He knew each one who cared for him by title.

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

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

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

Bell hopes that sharing his story will assist unfold consciousness concerning the totally different coronary heart assault symptoms and who could also be at greater threat of recurrent cardiac occasions.

“I felt it on my coronary heart to share my story as a result of if I might help save a life by reminding folks to hearken to their our bodies, I’ve performed what God has referred to as me to do,” Bell mentioned.

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

“Controlling the chance elements is essential for stopping future occasions. Life-style modifications, together with train applications, eating regimen management, sleep high quality, and weight reduction, are essential components,” he advised Healthline.

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

“Coronary heart assault can current with some signs that aren’t traditional. There could be ache within the neck, jaw, arms, again, or abdomen, which could be a symptom/warning signal,” he mentioned. “Generally the signs could 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 folks obtain a stent, Bhavsar mentioned it’s essential that they proceed taking drugs, 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 mentioned. “Comply with up with cardiology and first care is essential. Sufferers can also profit from applications reminiscent of cardiac rehabilitation.”

To enhance coronary heart well being, Bhavsar mentioned controlling threat elements, together with hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, and diabetes, in addition to quitting smoking, might help. Staying bodily energetic, particularly with cardio train, sustaining a wholesome weight, following a Mediterranean diet, and getting satisfactory 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 in a position to 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 complete individual take care of him in these totally different settings,” he mentioned.