ALLEN, Texas — While training with his fire crew, Allen Fire Department Capt. Michael Sundeen became dizzy and found it hard to breathe. His legs began cramping, and he passed out. At just 51 years old, the seasoned firefighter was having a heart attack.

Fortunately, Sundeen received high-quality emergency treatment at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen where he was diagnosed with coronary artery disease, which happens when the arteries are unable to deliver sufficient oxygen-rich blood to the heart. His condition resulted in a complex quadruple bypass surgery at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, followed by several weeks of cardiac rehabilitation to strengthen his heart muscle.

Over the past decade, cardiac-related events have accounted for more than 40% of all on-duty firefighter deaths, according to a report from the National Fire Protection Association.

Sundeen is grateful he didn’t become a statistic.

“We were walking three miles with 45-pound packs before I passed out,” Sundeen said. “I wasn’t in any pain, but the crew ran some tests and noticed an abnormal heart rhythm. We knew I needed to go to the hospital.”

Making the diagnosis

Minutes later, Sundeen arrived at Texas Health Allen by ambulance. Several tests, along with an angiography, which pinpoints blockages in the blood vessels using X-ray imaging, confirmed the medical staff’s suspicions.

“Not only was Mr. Sundeen suffering a heart attack, but the imaging outlined several damaged arteries which signaled coronary artery disease,” said Ramon Kumar, M.D., an interventional cardiologist on the Texas Health Allen medical staff.

Nearly 5% of the U.S. population 20 and older are living with coronary artery disease. For more than 27 years, Sundeen had focused on a heart-healthy lifestyle — complete with nutritious food choices, morning workouts and scheduled training exercises. Still, genetics passed down from his father made Sundeen more susceptible to heart disease.

“The heart attack was sudden, but I wasn’t terribly shocked when they told me I had coronary artery disease. It runs in my family,” Sundeen said. “After my dad’s diagnosis, he had triple bypass surgery when I was just a teenager.”

Receiving high-quality, complex care

Similar to his father’s treatment, Sundeen underwent a complex heart surgery requiring high-acuity care. The procedure took place at Texas Health Plano and was performed by Brandon Hill, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon with Texas Health Physicians Group (THPG)* and on the hospital’s medical staff.

“Before my quadruple bypass surgery, Dr. Hill came by my room and prayed with me,” Sundeen said. “It put me at ease, and I knew I was in great hands.”

After recovering from heart surgery, Sundeen returned to Texas Health Allen and completed several weeks of cardiac rehab.

“Unfortunately, patients living with heart disease are becoming younger, including individuals just like Mr. Sundeen. It emphasizes the importance and benefits of cardiac rehabilitation,” Kumar said. “Cardiac rehab helped improve his heart function under medical supervision while he continued to progress after critical heart surgery. Plus, it gave Mr. Sundeen and I the confidence for him to go back to serving the community as a firefighter.”

Often patients need a variety of treatments for complex diagnoses.

“Mr. Sundeen’s patient journey at two Texas Health facilities emphasizes our commitment to offering individuals an immediate connection to necessary and critical care, no matter their location,” said Josh Floren, Texas Health’s Hospital Channel COO. “Whether you require emergency care, a detailed diagnosis or rehabilitation after a heart attack, our facilities and the experienced, multidisciplinary team of caregivers working there are committed to helping you get back to enjoying life as quickly as possible.”

Four months later, Sundeen returned to full duty.

“I’ve been a firefighter for 27 years, and I’ve served as captain going on eight years. This is what I do, and I’m excited to do it every day,” Sundeen said. “I’m truly grateful to those at Texas Heath Allen and Texas Health Plano, because they helped me get back to helping others in their critical times of need.”

*Physicians employed by Texas Health Physicians Group practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health Resources hospitals.