Nurse saves man having heart attack at airport after noticing his 'snoring and breathing'

Among the many ailments that threaten us, cardiac arrest is particularly concerning because its symptoms can be easily overlooked. Surprisingly, it can appear so subtle that it might seem like the person is merely snoring. However, nurse Claire Cerbie noticed the signs and saved a fellow passenger's life at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, reports WBTV News. On the morning of June 7, 57-year-old Ken Jeffries from Jacksonville, Florida, was waiting to board a flight to Knoxville, Tennessee, when he suffered a heart attack.

Thanks to Cerbie's prompt and accurate observation of his symptoms, Jeffries received aid before it was too late. Cerbie, who was also waiting to board the same flight, noticed Jeffries' unusual breathing and sprung to action. The nurse formerly worked at Atrium Health's Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute in Charlotte and as per their press release, Cerbie was trained in critical care and was naturally observant. Thus, despite her busy day ahead, Cerbie managed to identify the gravity of Jeffries' situation. "Just the way that you were snoring and breathing sounded like you were having a heart attack based on what I've seen before," the nurse told Jeffries when they connected through a video call.

Cerbie took the help of fellow passengers who were waiting and laid Jeffries on the floor. "I didn't know if he was having some sort of seizure or hypoglycemic event, but when I got over to him, he was out. He was making a snoring noise and I felt for a pulse. But there was no pulse," she stated. Realizing that Jeffries was having a cardiac arrest, Cerbie instantly started CPR while a bystander retrieved an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). "We did two rounds of CPR until the defibrillator was ready. After the shock, his heart started beating on its own again," Cerbie added.

Once Jeffries got back his rhythm in breathing, the nurse and fellow passengers who helped him waited by his side until the paramedics arrived. The 57-year-old was then rushed to the Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, where the cardiologist placed a stent to treat an artery blockage. "Without CPR and proper use of the AED, this would have been a far sadder outcome. Unfortunately, less than 10% of those who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive. However, immediate CPR can double or even triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival," said Dr. William Downey, who treated Jeffries. Cerbie's timely action proved to be an incredible life-saver for Jeffries, who is the loving husband of Terri Musgrove Jeffries and a dad of two daughters. 

"It's a miracle that I was at that place at that time when it happened and the people around me are there," said Jeffries to the media channel, recalling the dreadful day. The next morning, after his treatment, Jeffries showed signs of quick recovery and was able to walk in the hospital's halls. "A 'thank you' is not enough, Claire. Thank you for what you did. I am so appreciative and indebted to you," he told Cerbie. The nurse responded to him by saying, "I'm very glad that I was there that day to help you out. I'd obviously do it again in a heartbeat. I'm so happy to see that you're doing so well."