Sharica Greene's Heart Attack Survival Story at St. Luke's Health-The Vintage Hospital

HOUSTON, TX -- Sharica Greene, 52, woke up one morning in April with a feeling of pressure in her chest, cold sweats, a headache, and shortness of breath-classic symptoms of a heart attack. Since she lives so close to St. Luke’s Health - The Vintage Hospital, Sharica thought she could drive herself but within minutes her condition worsened, so she called 911.

“I was on the couch, unable to catch my breath. The pain was excruciating. I was scared to death,” the escalations manager recalled. Sharica’s mother and grandmother both died of massive heart attacks at age 49.

The emergency and cardiac team evaluated her condition. Her blood pressure was very high, but, oddly enough, her EKG was normal and did not indicate a heart attack.

Interventional Cardiologist at St. Luke’s Health-The Vintage Hospital, Nidal Buheis, MD was not ready to rule out a cardiac event. “You could tell she was uncomfortable. Sometimes you have to trust your gut instinct that something is not right even though the testing that we do might not be classic,” Dr. Buheis insisted.

Dr. Buheis was right - Sharica had a high homocysteine level, a condition that can cause inflammation in the arteries, which thicken and can cause strokes, heart attacks, or lung clots at a young age.

Sharica had a 99% blockage in her left anterior descending, the main artery to the heart. Dr. Buheis cleared the artery within 30 minutes of her arrival to the ER by implanting a stent in a minimally invasive procedure. Sharica remained in the hospital for two days and was discharged and prescribed blood thinners for a year and instructed to manage her diet, cholesterol, and exercise.

“He saved my life that day. He listened,” a grateful Sharica said. “Had Dr. Buheis not taken the time, had he been a doctor in a hurry, rushing through the ER, I don't know what that day would have been like.”

Sharica made the right decision to call 911. When a heart attack is suspected, EMS crews immediately contact St. Luke’s Health-The Vintage and can administer crucial medications in the field.

Prevention is key to preventing and diagnosing heart disease. Dr. Buheis insists all patients should pay attention to new or unusual symptoms. “If you notice a change, don't ignore it. You are never too young for a heart attack. We’re not psychics. If we don't listen, there's no way to know what's wrong with you,” he insisted.

Dr. Buheis urges young adults to undergo screenings for high cholesterol and diabetes, especially if there is a family history of heart disease.

Two months after her heart attack, Sharica is excited to be alive and “to get back to making new memories” with her daughters Genee and Daun and grandsons Khailand and Mekhai, and her core group of loved ones she caringly refers to as "The Villagers.”

She also feels great and has made major lifestyle changes. “I’m getting my walking in, exercising, and cutting back on starches and sugars,” she said.

“I’m embracing my new lease on life, and I'm not taking it lightly. Dr. Buheis gave me instructions on what I need to do and change, and I am following them to the T.”