Poplar Bluff Man Survives Cardiac Arrest Thanks to Wearable Technology
Poplar Bluff, MO-December 20, 2018 - Randy Hederer, 62 of Poplar Bluff, MO is looking forward to
another season of deer hunting. But, just a few months earlier, he wasn’t sure he’d be around to
experience it. In August, Randy experienced sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
SCA claims the lives of 350,000 Americans each year, but Randy survived because he was
prescribed a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD).
Before his sudden cardiac arrest, Randy had suffered a heart attack and underwent surgery to
repair his heart’s function. His cardiologist, Dr. H.K Reddy, of Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital,
Cardiovascular Consultants, explained that the pumping function of Randy’s heart, known as
“ejection fraction,” was severely weakened to 20 percent. A normal “ejection fraction” is 55-70
percent. This put Randy as risk of dying from sudden cardiac arrest.
Wanting to ensure Randy was protected outside of the hospital, Dr. H.K. Reddy prescribed a
wearable defibrillator and instructed he wear it under his clothes day and night, only taking it off
for a short shower or bath. Wearable defibrillators are prescribed for a wide range of patients,
including those who recently suffered a heart attack or have a new diagnosis of heart
failure. Determined to achieve a full recovery, Randy accepted his WCD and wore it faithfully.
Just 10 days later after receiving his WCD, Randy was watching TV while visiting his sister near
Houston, TX when his heart suddenly spiked into a rapid life-threatening rhythm, causing him to
pass out. Within one minute, his wearable defibrillator detected the dangerous heart rhythm and
delivered a treatment shock that restored his heart’s normal rhythm and saved Randy’s life. He
regained consciousness immediately after the treatment and awoke thinking he had merely dozed
off for a nap. His sister had already called 911 and Randy was transported to a nearby hospital by
ambulance. Randy continued wearing his WCD in the hospital, where he received four additional
lifesaving treatments from it. He later received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for
long-term protection.
Randy is recovering now, counting the days until hunting season. “I don’t care much if I get
anything, it’s just about being out in the woods… maybe see a coyote and watch the squirrels.”
He is grateful for Dr. H.K. Reddy and his wearable defibrillator for saving his life. “That wearable
defibrillator is an awesome piece of equipment,” said Randy. “I wouldn’t be here today without it.”
About the Wearable Defibrillator
- Unlike an ICD, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is worn outside the body rather than
implanted in the chest. It requires no bystander intervention.
- The WCD continuously monitors the patient’s heart and, if a life-threatening heart rhythm is
detected, the device delivers a treatment shock to restore normal heart rhythm. The device alerts
the patient prior to delivering a treatment shock, and thus allows a conscious patient to delay
treatment.
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