Garland was diagnosed with ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib), the most serious of abnormal heart rhythms, which can lead to sudden death.
“People with V-Fib may experience dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and complete loss of consciousness,” said Divyakant Gandhi, MD, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at McLaren Greater Lansing. “Mike was a special case because he didn’t experience any of these symptoms. He was completely asymptomatic.”
Garland had spent his whole life as an athlete. At 68 years old, he hadn’t been on medication for any health conditions.
“Dr. Gandhi told my wife and my sister he doesn’t understand that after all these years I didn’t have any indications that something was wrong with my heart,” said Garland. “I have played sports, including football, from the time I was 11 years old. I played high school football and college basketball and never had signs of anything.”
On October 10, Garland came to McLaren Greater Lansing for open-heart surgery to repair his heart.
“The health care that I received was phenomenal. From where I was at that time to where I am at today, in my mind, is a miracle, and the McLaren team had a lot to do with that,” said Garland. “I am a coach and have been a coach all my life. I saw a lot of teamwork there. Lending a hand when they could. It was just a team effort, and I am good at recognizing that.”
Garland remembers being intubated the night after his surgery. “As an athlete, I know hard work and pain. Being intubated after my surgery was the most challenging thing I have been through,” said Garland. “Dr. Gandhi knew that I was struggling and came in at 2:30 a.m. to perform a procedure to relieve some of the fluid and pressure and help make me more comfortable.”
Once Garland’s heart surgery was completed, he was enrolled in the Cardiac Rehabilitation program at McLaren Greater Lansing.
“I told Brian, my exercise therapist, that my goal was to be able to run again,” said Garland. “Brian told me he would have me running by Christmas.”
That dream came true for Garland. The Wednesday before Christmas, he ran four two-minute intervals.
“It wasn’t a lot, but for me it was big,” said Garland. “It brought tears to my eyes.”
Now Garland is up to running 20 minutes at a time, something he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to enjoy doing again.
“I think I am about 75 percent back to where I was before my heart stopped,” said Garland. “And I owe it all to the team of people who saved my life that day and the care I received after. These people don’t get enough recognition. I am grateful to them.”
Garland continues to follow up with his cardiologist, David McComb, DO, to ensure that his heart continues to stay healthy.
From left to right: David McComb, DO, Cardiologist at McLaren Greater Lansing, retired MSU Basketball Coach Mike Garland, Divyakant Gandhi, MD, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at McLaren Greater Lansing, and Bryan Erikson, Exercise Physiologist at McLaren Greater Lansing.
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