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On May 10, a routine day turned critical for Laura Machnik as she kissed her 18-year-old son, J.J., goodbye, who planned to exercise at a friend’s house. After confirming his safe arrival, she received an urgent call. The caller was her son’s friend’s mother, alerting her to her worst fear.
Four years prior, J.J. was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition known for causing sudden cardiac stops without warning. Despite his active lifestyle and absence of typical symptoms, his heart failed him shortly into his workout, witnessed by his friends Trevor Hodgins, 14, and Giovanni Scafidi, 18.
Reacting swiftly, Hodgins and Scafidi administered CPR and dialed emergency services, promptly informing them of J.J.’s medical condition upon their arrival. Their immediate actions were pivotal in saving J.J.’s life, emphasized by his long-term heart specialist, Dr. Matthew Martinez of Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic disorder, is characterized by an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, complicating its pumping ability, as detailed by Dr. Martinez. It’s a condition seen in about 1 in 500 people and comes in two forms; J.J. suffered from the non-obstructive kind, which allows the heart to stiffen without blocking blood flow.
Following an abnormal checkup at 14, J.J. was tested and diagnosed, knowing his father, Jeff, also had the condition. Despite the diagnosis, J.J. continued with sports but with caution, ensuring close ones were informed about the condition and how to respond to a cardiac emergency.
A critical episode unfolded en route to the hospital after J.J.’s collapse, requiring resuscitation twice in the ambulance. He was admitted to Morristown Medical Center under Dr.
Amirali Masoumi’s care, where his condition became severely complicated. Dr.
Masoumi and the medical team faced challenging decisions about J.J.’s care, contemplating a heart transplant amidst uncertain brain function recovery.
Miraculously, J.J.’s condition improved dramatically days later, and by May 17, he started rehabilitation. He left the hospital with a newly implanted internal cardiac defibrillator, celebrating his 19th birthday and advancing towards recovery with milestones, including his high school graduation. J.J.’s story reflects not just a personal triumph but the critical importance of preparedness and immediate action in the face of cardiac emergencies.