Featured patients
Shayna's story: Sudden cardiac arrest in the young and otherwise healthy
Learn about the story of Shayna (Harmon) Hemming, a young mother and former Division 1 athlete who had a cardiac arrest at age 27. Find out how Ohio State’s heart team set out to solve the sudden cardiac arrest mystery. Read full story
Carmen's story: How bystander CPR saved his life during an Ohio State football game
Discover how a California resident's life was saved at Ohio Stadium through the immediate response of bystander CPR, swift intervention from Ohio State's emergency medicine team, and expert care from heart specialists at the Ross Heart Hospital. Read full story
Earlie and Larry's story: How a rare aortic dissection targeted two siblings, 6 months apart
When Larry Smith felt a "pop" in his chest and went to the hospital, he and his brother Samuel realized it was a familiar situation. Six months earlier, their sister Earlie had experienced the same issue, treated by the same surgeon, Dr. Matthew Henn, who was on call both times for their rare aortic dissection. Read full story
Judith's story: Recognizing the less common signs of heart disease in women
Heart disease symptoms in women can differ significantly from those in men. Fortunately, Dr. Laxmi Mehta, an expert in women's heart health, was able to properly diagnose Judith after years of incorrect diagnoses and ensure she received appropriate treatment. Read full story
Jared's story: Young man with Marfan Syndrome recovers after lifesaving aorta surgeries
22 year-old Jared Kaiser, faced a life-threatening tear in his aorta. Through the Aortic Center at the Ohio State Heart and Vascular Center, cardiac and vascular surgery experts came together to perform several surgeries to save him, ultimately replacing his entire aorta. Read full story
Scott's story: How a former firefighter's active live was restored by a heart transplant
It's common for a patient to recover from a major medical surgery with a renewed energy — a desire to live life to the fullest. And although Scott led an incredibly active life before having a heart transplant, he’s lived plenty of meaningful moments in the years since. Read full story
Paul's story: Returning to life after an abdominal aortic aneurysm
Paul Colgan from Westerville, Ohio, was living with a congenital heart defect. After collapsing, he discovered he had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, requiring open heart surgery. Treated on Valentine's Day 2023, Paul credits his health to the care teams at Ohio State’s Heart and Vascular Center.
