Local Fitness Enthusiast Survives Unexpected Heart Attack
10/30/2025
For David Vasquez, fitness is a way of life. He is a longtime bodybuilder, competes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions and even owns a local gym.
That’s why when he felt some strange symptoms after working out one day in early 2024, a heart attack was the furthest thing from his mind.
“I felt a burning sensation in my lungs and honestly thought it might have been COVID,” said Vasquez. “But I had no other real symptoms and went about my day.” The next day after his workout, the same burning sensation returned, and his wife encouraged him to see his primary care provider. When lab tests revealed elevated cardiac markers, his provider urged him to go to the Emergency Room right away.
Upon arrival at Carlsbad Medical Center’s ER, Vasquez told the registrar, “I guess I’m having a heart attack – my doctor just told me to get my butt to the hospital.” During examination he was asked if he was experiencing any chest pain or pressure, arm or jaw pain, nausea, shortness of breath or extreme fatigue, all to which he answered “no.”
Given the elevated cardiac enzymes, the cardiac cath lab team was notified and prepared for an urgent heart catheterization. An angiogram revealed a 100% blockage of an artery on the right side of his heart that required immediate intervention. A stent was inserted into the artery and Vasquez said he felt the blood flow return to his arm and immediate relief, noting his recent arm pain suddenly made sense.
“I thought I had just overdone it during a workout or had tennis elbow,” he said. “It wasn’t necessarily what I would consider pain, just discomfort.”
CMC cath lab Director Shannon Nuttall urges the community to not ignore chest pain. “David was very lucky and we are proud to have the resources needed to help him,” Nuttall said. “Throughout the procedure our team guided David on what we were doing and how he should feel. ‘Time is tissue’ is a line we often use, as the longer you wait with chest pain the more damage is done to the heart. In David’s case, he did the right thing by going to the hospital immediately, and we are fortunate to have this valuable resource at Carlsbad Medical Center to provide lifesaving cardiac care to Carlsbad, Eddy County and Southeastern New Mexico.”
After placement of the stent, Vasquez spent one night in the Intensive Care Unit, which is typical for heart attack patients. In the ICU, experienced nurses closely observed him during his recovery, and educated him on any lifestyle changes needed. In Vasquez’s case, not many changes were needed, as his active, healthy lifestyle was part of the reason he was able to recover quickly.
Now back at the gym again, Vasquez is grateful he came to the ER in time. “I’m so glad I listened to my wife and went to see my doctor. I may not be here today if I had put it off another day.”
“There is a lot of good that comes out of here,” Vasquez said while describing his experience at Carlsbad Medical Center. “I can attest to the goodness of what this place has to offer. From the nurses who helped me to the doctor who was onsite at that time, it was top notch. I do give a lot of credit to this place and everyone who was involved, and I’m glad I’m here today to share the story.”
Carlsbad Medical Center provides 24/7 STEMI (heart attack) coverage, meaning an interventional cardiologist and a skilled cath lab team are available at all times to provide lifesaving cardiac care. As Eddy County’s official STEMI-receiving hospital, EMS brings patients experiencing chest pain directly to CMC, where the ER and cath lab teams are prepared to care for the patient upon arrival. For more information on heart attack warning signs and heart care at Carlsbad Medical Center, visit www.CarlsbadMedicalCenter.com/cardiac-care.
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