Saved by Love, Heroism and Heart: Shawn’s Cardiac Arrest Survival Story

When Shawn Martin collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest during a Sunday stroll, his wife Emily didn’t hesitate. She called 911 and immediately began CPR. What followed was a remarkable chain of events that not only saved Shawn’s life but saw him discharged from the hospital just three days later. In the world of cardiac care, that kind of recovery is nothing short of extraordinary.

A Life-Changing Moment

It was a quiet morning when Shawn and Emily Martin set out for a walk near their home in Southgate, Ky. Without warning, Shawn grabbed his chest and collapsed. Emily sprang into action. She dialed 911 and began CPR right away, pushing on his chest to keep blood flowing.

As fate would have it, a retired firefighter heard Emily’s cry for help from his nearby home. He raced across the road and through the woods to find Shawn unresponsive. He immediately took over CPR from Emily, continuing chest compressions until EMS arrived.

The Power of a Community Response

The Southgate Fire Department’s EMS crew carried equipment about 200-yards down a path and reached Shawn approximately ten minutes after his collapse. Paramedics found that he was in ventricular fibrillation (V-fib), a chaotic, life-threatening heart rhythm. They immediately applied a defibrillator which delivered an electric shock that restored his heartbeat back to a normal beat, restoring circulation.

In that moment, Shawn essentially “came back” – his pulse returned thanks to the combined efforts of early CPR and the defibrillation. Paramedics quickly loaded him into an ambulance and rushed him to the St. Elizabeth hospital in Edgewood for further lifesaving treatment.

A Race Against Time

The EMS personnel notified the hospital that they were on their way, allowing the medical team to prepare for Shawn’s arrival. Upon arrival, he was taken straight to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab where Dr. Stephen Schutzman, an Interventional Cardiologist at St. Elizabeth, diagnosed a 90% blockage in Shawn’s left anterior descending artery – this is often referred to as the “widow-maker.” Dr. Schutzman placed a stent in the artery to restore blood flow to Shawn’s heart.

“In cardiology, we often talk about seconds and millimeters, how small margins can mean the difference between life and loss,” says Dr. Schutzman. “Shawn’s case was a vivid reminder of that. Every moment mattered, and every person involved – from his wife to our cath lab team – played a role in giving him a second chance.”

After the procedure, Shawn was transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) for round-the-clock care and continuous monitoring while his body (and his heart) recovered.

A Recovery That Defied the Odds

What happened next surprised even the most seasoned clinicians. Within 24 hours, Shawn was awake, alert and talking with his family. Given that his heart had stopped for roughly 12-minutes, this was an outstanding result.

Though he initially experienced some short-term memory lapses, his cognitive function improved rapidly. There were no indications of major neurological damage – a truly fortunate outcome. Just three days after his cardiac arrest – Shawn’s condition improved so much that Dr. Schutzman deemed him well enough to go home.

“Shawn’s recovery was nothing short of extraordinary,” says Dr. Schutzman. “It was one of those rare moments where everything came together – the courage of his wife, the instinct of a neighbor, the precision of EMS and the expertise of our team. Stories like this not only remind us why we do this work – they also renew our purpose.”

Why Shawn’s Story Matters

According to national data, most survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest spend one to two weeks – or longer – in the hospital. Shawn’s three-day discharge is a rare outcome, made possible by a perfect storm of rapid intervention, expert care and community support.

His story highlights the importance of CPR training, the value of coordinated emergency response and the life-saving capabilities of the cardiac care team at St. Elizabeth.

The Chain of Survival in Action

Shawn’s case exemplifies the “Chain of Survival” – a series of critical actions that dramatically improve the chances of surviving cardiac arrest:

• Early recognition and 911 activation.
• Immediate CPR by a bystander.
• Rapid defibrillation by EMS.
• Advanced hospital care.
• Post-arrest recovery and rehabilitation.

Each link in Shawn’s chain was strong – the result was a life saved and a family made whole.

What if You Are the First Link in Someone’s Survival Story?

You don’t have to be a doctor or a first responder to help save a life. It’s a frightening thing to think about, but it does happen – and you never know when someone will need you.

Explore the CPR classes offered at St. Elizabeth: AHA Training Center | St. Elizabeth Healthcare

We’re here to support you in your heart journey. If you have concerning symptoms or a family history of heart disease, call (859) 287-3045 to schedule a cardiology appointment or visit our website to learn more.