It was the evening of April 4, 2024 on a concert stage in Gilbert, Arizona.

Colt Ford and his band were performing their signature blend of country, rap and hip-hop music. It was a sold-out crowd. Colt was feeling at the top of his game, and the concert was shaping up to be one of the band's best shows ever.

No one expected how this night would end.

Watch Colt Ford's story of survival

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (3:52) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

"Like it was really clicking. We had just made some changes in the set and it was feeling really good. The vibe was good, it all felt good," remembers Colt. "My stage manager said 'That's the best show we've done this year, man, you killed it,' It was incredible."

At the end of the show Colt thanked fans, turned and exited the stage.

No one expected what happened minutes later

"I woke up seven or eight days later, whatever, and I woke up in the hospital and was like 'What's going on?' I had no concept of anything," says Colt. "When I played the show that night I could do anything but when I woke up in the hospital I couldn't pick up a cup with ice in it and feed it to myself."

Minutes after exiting the stage, Colt suffered a massive heart attack. He was found slumped over in a chair backstage by one of his fellow band members. Emergency crews responded immediately and Colt was rushed to the hospital.

"When one of the top heart doctors in the world looks at you and goes 'You're 1% of 1%,' it can't get anymore dire than that," says Colt about his odds of surviving his heart attack.

Colt went into cardiac arrest twice. He was revived with electric shocks from a defibrillator to restart his heart in both instances. "He would simply not have survived in most parts of the world that don't have access to such a high level of cardiogenic shock care. Most people do not survive globally," says Dr. Kwan Lee, interventional cardiologist at Mayo Clinic. Lee is part of the multidisciplinary team overseeing Colt's care at Mayo Clinic. Colt also underwent a 10-hour surgery and, for a time, was placed in a medically induced coma.

A silent killer

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. One of the most common types of cardiovascular disease is a heart attack. In the United States alone, it is estimated that every 40 seconds, someone has a heart attack.

Doctors often warn about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, and fatigue. However, roughly 21% of heart attacks in the U.S. occur with minimal or even no symptoms, according to the American Heart Association. These "silent" heart attacks are known as silent ischemia or silent myocardial infarction.

Colt says he had recently undergone a regular check-up at a different medical center and got a clean bill of health.

"This is the unfortunate nature of heart attacks. It is possible to have tests which don't show blockages, but the nature of blockages is that they can behave unpredictably and suddenly occur," says Dr. Lee. "Despite our best efforts, on a populational level, heart attacks can still occur in patients out of the blue."

Nearly nine months after his heart attack, test results at Mayo Clinic indicate Colt is making excellent progress. Exercise combined with a heart-healthy diet has helped him shed 60 pounds. "I'm about back to being in my college shape," says Colt, who played on the golf team for the University of Georgia before his singing career took off.

While his physical health improves, Colt admits the health scare has left him battling anxiety and panic attacks. "For me to say I'm having anxiety and panic attacks, that's even hard for me to say because I ain't scared of nothing," Colt says. "But I'm having to deal with that and share my feelings and all that kind of stuff. So, if you're feeling something, advocate for yourself. Don't just tough it out. Tell somebody."

Dr. Lee says it is not uncommon for patients to experience anxiety, panic attacks and even depression following a heart attack. He recommends patients maintain an open dialogue with their health care team and discuss any issues that arise.

"I'm back, baby!"

Colt has been open about sharing his experience with his nearly three million followers on social media. "I'm back, baby!" Colt shared recently on Instagram. "It's been quite a journey but you guys have inspired me, you kept loving me, kept praying for me, kept sending me messages and I'm working hard to get better."

Just a year shy of his heart attack, Colt has released a new song and is embarking on a new tour. He is hoping his music and story will serve as inspiration for others.

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The post (VIDEO) Country rap musician Colt Ford shares his personal story of surviving a near-fatal heart attack appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Dr. Gosia Wamil, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, has long been researching the link between diabetes and heart disease. She says, for people with diabetes, there are new treatment strategies. 

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (0:58) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Through her research on diabetes and heart disease, Dr. Wamil says she learned a lot about "the role of chronic inflammation and insulin resistance as a mechanism that starts the process of atherosclerosis."

And atherosclerosis can lead to coronary artery disease and heart attack. 

That's where diet and exercise can help.

"We have evidence and scientific data that support that weight reduction, improvement in blood pressure are very important strategies to reduce the risk of diabetes and, therefore, complications of diabetes and heart diseases," says Dr. Wamil.

New treatments and therapies are also available.

"We have, for the first time, developed glucose-lowering treatments that at the same time address the problem, the link between their diabetes and heart diseases," Dr. Wamil says.

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic Healthcare expert shares heart failure signs, risk factors people may not be aware of.
• Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Reducing the risk of heart failure.
• Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London expands advanced cardiac imaging services.

For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Strategies to break the heart disease and diabetes link appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

THIS WEEK'S TOP TOPICS
Stress, depression and the holidays: 10 tips for coping
The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests: stress and depression. The holidays present a dizzying array of demands. When stress is at its peak, it's hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past. Here are 10 practical ways to find peace and joy.

Video: 'Holiday Heart Attack and Stroke Risk'
The holidays can be exciting, stressful, fun and exhausting all at once. The holidays also can be dangerous due to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Hear from Dr. Kevin Barrett, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, about the causes of this increased risk and what you can do to keep yourself safe.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Do asthma-friendly products reduce symptoms?
If you or someone in your family has asthma, your health care provider may recommend that you take steps to control asthma triggers in your home. Purchasing asthma-friendly products may seem like a good step. However, while a number of manufacturers claim that their asthma-friendly products reduce asthma triggers better than other products, often these claims aren't backed up with solid evidence. There's no sure way to tell how much a particular product might ease your asthma symptoms, but here are some tips to keep in mind before spending your money.

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Lung nodules are small masses of tissue in the lung that appear as round, white shadows on a chest X-ray or CT scan. Lung nodules are common. Most are noncancerous and do not require treatment. In some cases, though, your health care provider may recommend annual chest imaging to see if a lung nodule grows or changes over time. Learn more from Dr. Eric J. Olson, a Mayo Clinic pulmonary and critical care medicine physician.

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HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
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Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.

Receive a free e-subscription to Housecall and other health newsletters.

The post Housecall: 10 tips for coping with holiday stress appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Click on the links below to see previous Mayo Clinic News Network posts:

• Fearful of Frostbite?
• Winter's Severe Cold Snap Calls for Extra Dose of Caution
• Slipping, Sliding and Snow Shoveling Season
• Winter Health: Common Sense Decisions and Smart Preparations

Here are some tips from physicians at Mayo Clinic Health System for injury-free snow shoveling:

• If you're inactive and have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor — stop if you feel tightness in your chest. Heart attacks increase significantly in the winter months, particularly while people are shoveling snow.
• Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is just as possible when you exert yourself in cold winter months as it is in the summer.
• Dress warmly. Dress in several layers so you can remove a layer as needed.
• Do not shovel while eating or smoking. Avoid caffeine or nicotine before you begin shoveling. This may place extra stress on the heart.
• Warm up your muscles in your arms and legs. Walk for a few minutes and stretch your arms and legs before shoveling. Warm muscles are less likely to be injured and work more efficiently.
• Take it slow! Pace yourself and take breaks. Keep a cell phone handy in case of emergency.
• Don’t pick up too much snow at once. Use a small shovel, or fill it only one-fourth to one-half if you use a large shovel. If necessary, just push the snow as you shovel. It is easier on your back. Keep the load of snow as close to you as possible.
• Protect your back. Bend from the knees, not your back. Lift with your legs bent, stand with your feet about hip width for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Try not to twist. If you move the snow to one side move your feet to face the direction the snow will be going.
• Clear snow as soon as it stops falling. Freshly fallen snow is lighter.
• Most importantly – listen to your body! Stop if you feel tired.

The post Keep Safe During a Major Winter Snowstorm appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

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Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

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The post Monday’s Housecall appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Answer: Heart attacks, along with heart problems in general, are more common around the holidays. Various factors can play into this, including stress, travel, changes in diet and disrupted schedules. Fortunately, many self-care steps can help keep your heart healthy.

One of the biggest challenges this time of year is healthy eating. For people with heart problems, choosing a heart-healthy diet amid an abundance of holiday foods can be daunting. But not straying too far from your normal diet is important. Keep portion sizes reasonable and limit fatty foods. Eating too much can lead to chest pain or shortness of breath in some people with heart problems. Drink small amounts of alcohol, if any, as alcohol can raise your risk for heart rhythm problems and heart attack. Men should not drink more than two alcoholic beverages a day. Women should not have more than one.

Watch the amount of salt, or sodium, you consume. If your heart pumping function is reduced or if you have heart failure, your ability to manage fluid and to process salt is diminished. To limit fluid retention in such cases, a low-salt diet is often recommended. Controlling salt can be hard, however, when you eat out or dine at someone else's home. Ask the cook if he or she might limit the amount of salt added. Find out which foods are lower in salt. Limit gravies and sauces.

Travel and schedule changes also can be barriers to heart health during the holidays. Staying on schedule with your medications can be hard when you switch time zones or when you are away from your daily routines. But taking your medication as prescribed is critical. Set up reminders to yourself or ask someone to help keep you on track. If you are planning to travel to another time zone, ask your pharmacist if medication schedule changes are necessary.

As much as possible, continue the self-care you do at home. For example, if you weigh yourself every day to help maintain your fluid balance, find a scale where you can do that. If a walk is part of your routine, invite your family to go with you and enjoy some company along with the exercise.

Finally, it is important to keep stress in check. Increased stress can raise a person's risk for a heart attack. We think of the holiday season as a happy time, but that isn't always reality. For some people, the holidays can be sad and stressful. If that is your situation, try to give yourself a break. Plan and do what is reasonable. If you have feelings of sadness or depression that last more than two weeks, see your doctor.

If you start to feel sick, seek help. Don't ignore symptoms because you feel badly about disrupting a holiday gathering. Tell someone right away if you notice new or changing chest discomfort, especially if it radiates to your back or to your arm, neck or jaw. Other symptoms of heart problems include shortness of breath, feeling clammy or light-headed, an irregular heartbeat, and swelling in your legs. Getting medical help is particularly critical if these symptoms last or if they don't improve after taking your usual medications.

The holidays are a high-risk time for heart problems, especially in people who have existing heart conditions. Pay attention to your body. As much as possible, stick to a heart-healthy lifestyle. And, above all, if you have symptoms of heart problems, ask for help right away.

— Sharonne Hayes, M.D., Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

The post TUESDAY Q & A: Self-Care Steps Can Keep Your Heart Healthy During the Holidays appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Scientists implanted engineered stem cells, also known as induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, into damaged regions of mouse hearts following a heart attack. This regenerative approach successfully targeted the origin of abnormal cardiac motion, preventing heart failure. The findings appear in the September issue of  The Journal of Physiology.

Click here for news release

Journalists: Soundbites with Dr. Terzic are available in the downloads. Sound bites with first author, Satsuki Yamada, M.D.,Ph.D., are also in the downloads including b-roll of her explaining the post-infarction progression slide above.

The post Mayo Clinic Restores Disrupted Heartbeat with Regenerative Intervention appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On Saturday, July 20, Charanjit Rihal, M.D., will join us to talk about coronary artery disease. Many people suffer from chest pain, but how do you know when it is something as simple as heartburn, or more serious like a heart attack?  We’ll find out.  Also we’ll talk about stents, balloons and news about a new technique to replace heart valves. 

This week’s Myth or Matter of Fact: Women who have heart attacks are twice as likely to die from them as are men.

Follow #mayoclinicradio and tweet your questions during the show.

Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines at News Segment July 20, 2013  (right click MP3).

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post MAYO CLINIC RADIO appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ANSWER: Heart attacks, along with heart problems in general, are more common around the holidays. Various factors can play into this, including stress, travel, changes in diet and disrupted schedules. Fortunately, many self-care steps can help keep your heart healthy. 

One of the biggest challenges this time of year is healthy eating. For people with heart problems, choosing a heart-healthy diet amid an abundance of holiday foods can be daunting. But not straying too far from your normal diet is important.  

Keep portion sizes reasonable and limit fatty foods. Eating too much can lead to chest pain or shortness of breath in some people with heart problems. Drink small amounts of alcohol, if any, as alcohol can raise your risk for heart rhythm problems and heart attack. Men should not drink more than two alcoholic beverages a day. Women should not have more than one.  

Watch the amount of salt, or sodium, you consume. If your heart pumping function is reduced or if you have heart failure, your ability to manage fluid and to process salt is diminished. To limit fluid retention in such cases, a low-salt diet is often recommended. Controlling salt can be hard, however, when you eat out or dine at someone else’s home. Ask the cook if he or she might limit the amount of salt added. Find out which foods are lower in salt. Limit gravies and sauces.  

Travel and schedule changes also can be barriers to heart health during the holidays. Staying on schedule with your medications can be hard when you switch time zones or when you are away from your daily routines. But taking your medication as prescribed is critical. Set up reminders to yourself or ask someone to help keep you on track. If you are planning to travel to another time zone, ask your pharmacist if medication schedule changes are necessary.  

As much as possible, continue the self-care you do at home. For example, if you weigh yourself every day to help maintain your fluid balance, find a scale where you can do that. If a walk is part of your routine, invite your family to go with you and enjoy some company along with the exercise.  

Finally, it is important to keep stress in check. Increased stress can raise a person’s risk for a heart attack. We think of the holiday season as a happy time, but that isn’t always reality. For some people, the holidays can be sad and stressful. If that is your situation, try to give yourself a break. Plan and do what is reasonable. If you have feelings of sadness or depression that last more than two weeks, see your doctor.  

If you start to feel sick, seek help. Don’t ignore symptoms because you feel badly about disrupting a holiday gathering. Tell someone right away if you notice new or changing chest discomfort, especially if it radiates to your back or to your arm, neck or jaw. Other symptoms of heart problems include shortness of breath, feeling clammy or light-headed, an irregular heartbeat, and swelling in your legs. Getting medical help is particularly critical if these symptoms last or if they don’t improve after taking your usual medications.  

The holidays are a high-risk time for heart problems, especially in people who have existing heart conditions. Pay attention to your body. As much as possible, stick to a heart-healthy lifestyle. And, above all, if you have symptoms of heart problems, ask for help right away. — Sharonne Hayes, M.D., Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

The post TUESDAY Q & A: Holiday Heart Attacks appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

 The paper will be published in the November issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

The news release from the journal as well as B-roll and sound bites with Richard Hurt, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center and lead author of the study, are available in the downloads above.

Title for broadcast cg: Dr. Richard Hurt, Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center

The post Smoke-Free Policies Reduce Heart Attacks appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.