Charlotte Man's Survival Shows CPR's Life-Saving Impact, Boosts Cardiac Health Awareness in Mecklenburg County

Heart Health Awareness Month falls in February. It's a great opportunity to recognize the significance of CPR.

A Charlotte A man states that despite exercising frequently, experiencing cardiac arrest nearly cost him his life.

Chad Goddard was in good health and didn't have any heart issues until a bicycle trip altered his life forever.

"It was a sweltering July day when I returned home, and before I knew it, I was in the hospital, where my wife and doctors informed me that I needed surgery because I had suffered a cardiac arrest," Goddard said.

Goddard mentions that the training his wife Carissa Goddard finished at her institution helped save his life.

"My wife performed CPR for eight minutes, and then the paramedics used an AED to restart my heart. After that, I underwent open-heart surgery," Goddard said.

The Cardiac Arrest Survivor Support gathering at Medic Headquarters unites survivors, emergency personnel, and medical partners to discuss the present condition of cardiac arrest care within Mecklenburg County.

"This event showcases the impact of our work, as all our teams receive a heart pin each year, like the one I'm wearing here, which displays the number of lives saved throughout their careers. This brings patients and these statistics together to highlight the results of our efforts," said a representative from Medic.

Medical experts hope this narrative encourages others to pursue CPR training and understand the significance of cardiovascular well-being.

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