Trey Truitt suffered a heart attack at 27.
Photo by Susan Urmy
VU employee discovers heart disease is no day at the office
Truitt at a checkup one year after his heart attack.
Photo by Susan Urmy
Truitt prepares for an MRI.
Photo by Susan Urmy
On Aug. 16, 2005, Trey Truitt, then 27, was happy just to be at work.
It was the second day of his new job as the assistant director for Campus Events in the office of the Dean of Students at Vanderbilt University. The day was proceeding as expected until a late morning division meeting.
“While I was giving a presentation my chest started tightening and both of my arms began to go numb. But like a typical male, I just sat there and took it and didn't think anything of it.
“But it worsened. I faked getting a phone call and left the meeting to call my wife. Right when she got to the office I began experiencing shortness of breath and more tightening.”
Truitt, who was experiencing the classic signs of a heart attack, was rushed to the Emergency Department at Vanderbilt and within an hour was on an operating table. He had 100 percent blockage of the lower circumflex of his heart — a condition better known as the 'widow maker.'
“When it's blocked, there is very little chance of survival. But thanks to the doctors in the ER recognizing the severity of my condition, I'm here today.
“The crazy thing is when they were doing the EKG and putting IVs in my arm and giving me blood thinners, it was surreal because the doctor said I was having a heart attack. I was thinking — I'm 27. I'm too young for this.”
Now, one year later, Truitt is happy to talk about the value of the American Heart Association (AHA) and the annual Heart Walk that raises money to help fund professional and community educational programs. He says it has been very therapeutic to talk about his experience and educate people about the importance of maintaining a proper diet, getting exercise and knowing your numbers — cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose.
This year's walk is set for Saturday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. Truitt will join nearly 7,000 walkers for the 8th annual event. Vanderbilt has its sights set on being the top fund-raising team in the country, with a goal of $500,000. The overall event is expected to bring in more than $1.3 million, the amount raised during the 2005 walk.
“The first thing I tell people is that heart disease does not discriminate,” Truitt said. “If you are predisposed to it and don't take care of yourself, you may fall victim to it earlier than you would think. If there are any preventive steps a person can take now, do it.
“My whole life I have been at high risk. My father had his first attack at 30 and died at age 47 from heart disease and pancreatic cancer. I know for me, it was a combination of a thick history of heart disease and a lack of exercise and proper lifestyle. It's not like I was obese and not taking good care of myself, but when you are not exercising and not eating well, it catches up with you.
“I guess it's hard to say I'm no longer high risk. I do have heart disease.”
Truitt was hospitalized eight times in a 10-month period. He had seven catheterizations and three stents placed in his heart. He sees a cardiologist and lipids specialist every three months.
“This has been very monumental. Three months after my heart attack I got married and now we are expecting our first baby. I don't think I could have had better odds if I'd been anywhere else.”
Vanderbilt receives more than $4 million in research grants from the AHA to help in the fight against heart disease and stroke.