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On July 6, 2001, two days after his 16th birthday, Matt suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) while casually playing basketball at the community swimming pool. Matt received CPR from the lifeguards until EMS arrived. EMS had to shock him three times with a defibrillator before he was in normal heart rhythm. However, Matt remained in a coma for twelve days before passing away on July 18th. Matt was a very healthy boy, or so we thought. He was a member of the High School swim team, the community swim team, and also an avid roller hockey player at the YMCA. As we learned after the attack, Matt suffered from HCM.
In hindsight the only symptom that he exhibited was a pain or tightness in his chest. Periodically, he would press against his chest due to some type of discomfort. The family phsycian was not able to make a diagnosis.
Our whole family misses Matt greatly. However, we know that he is up there with all the other lost children and family members keeping a watchful eye on our efforts to educate the world about SCA and HCM.
In hindsight the only symptom that he exhibited was a pain or tightness in his chest. Periodically, he would press against his chest due to some type of discomfort. The family phsycian was not able to make a diagnosis.
Our whole family misses Matt greatly. However, we know that he is up there with all the other lost children and family members keeping a watchful eye on our efforts to educate the world about SCA and HCM.
