When sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) strikes, the lives of all it touches will never be the same. For the 10% who experience the miracle of surviving SCA[1], the road back to “regular” life is often filled with challenges and change. We interviewed SCA survivor, Virginia Krejci, to hear about her family’s experience with SCA not once but twice, and how they worked together to find a new normal and help spread the message to save others’ lives.
L4Z: Please tell us a little about your family!
Virginia: Mike and I have been married for 25 years this August. We have two children, Sara, who is starting her senior year at SFA and Joe, who will be stating his freshman year of college at Texas A&M Galveston. We love the outdoors, fishing mostly, hiking and camping.
L4Z: What was your family’s experience with SCA?
Virginia: Joe suffered a SCA in the 7th grade at the age of 13, November of 2016. He was running track for athletics, Joe was revived by a quick acting coach who knew to get the AED! He had no prior symptoms or any heart related illness. As of today we still are not clear what caused Joe’s SCA, the only reasonable conclusion is that he suffered an adrenaline arrhythmia. Crazy addition to his story is that I also suffered a SCA! In January of 2020, I was walking back to my car and collapsed. A couple of people stopped and called 911, my husband saw me on the ground after stopping at the convenience store, and immediately started CPR. The ambulance arrived quickly and used and AED to save my life.
L4Z: How did CPR and AEDs play a role in your survival?
Virginia: If it hadn’t been for CPR and the AED’s neither Joe or myself would be alive to tell the story.
L4Z: Did you struggle with any fears after your SCA experiences? How did you deal with these?
Virginia: Absolutely! Not so much for myself, but for my son. I was terrified to let him leave my sight. I didn’t want him to return to school, but I knew he had to return to normal life after the incident. He has an internal defibrillator in his chest, he has since collapsed 3 more time since the first episode. I fear when he is involved in any kind of activity where his heart rate might spike.
L4Z: What did your support network look like in the months after?
Virginia: One of our most important organizations is Living for Zachary. They provide many important informative programs to gain knowledge around heart disease.
L4Z: What factors helped you to find a new “normal” after SCA?
Virginia: I have great peace knowing that Joe and I are safe because we both have ICDs and we are protected if SCA happens again.
L4Z: Did you and Joe need to make any lifestyle or activity adjustments after experiencing SCA?
Virginia: Joe cannot participate in any activity or sports where running fast in required, but Joe is an avid fisherman!
L4Z: How does your life/your family’s life look different now since SCA?
Virginia: Most important difference is we are always looking for the locations of AEDs everywhere we go! You never know when someone will be affected!
L4Z: When you look back at all your family has gone through over the past several years, what thoughts and emotions come to mind?
Virginia: I am forever grateful for coaches, nurses, and bystanders that choose to get involved when a crisis occurs! I encourage EVERYONE to know CPR, find the AED and get involved!
L4Z: What’s next for the Krejci Family?
Virginia: Big transition to empty nest! Both kids in college!
[1] American Heart Association