Utah Man Who Suffered Major Heart Attack at End of Spudman Triathlon Returns to Idaho to Thank Quick Responding Intermountain Health Team Who Saved His Life
A 47-year-old Utah man who suffered a major heart attack while crossing the finish line at this year’s Spudman triathlon returned to Burley, Idaho, today to thank the Intermountain Health team and all those who helped saved his life.
Intermountain Health’s Classic Air Medical team flew Scott Smith, and his wife, Janna, from Utah to Intermountain Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley, Idaho, for the reunion with the caregivers and first responders who acted quickly to save his life.
“We are always ready, transporting patients from rural and urban communities across the country and internationally. But It’s not very often you get to see the result of all our work,” said Brett Cross, clinical manager for Utah and Idaho for Intermountain Classic Air Medical. “We are glad our specialized trained team could be there for Scott so he could return to his family and see another day to race again.”
Smith, who is originally from Burley, Idaho, returned to his hometown on July 27, 2024, to support the Spudman Triathlon, an annual event he loved and had finally been able to participate in since moving away.
Smith, who now lives in Lehi, Utah, had trained extensively for the triathlon, even swimming in the Snake River to acclimate himself to conditions different from those at his local recreation center pool.
As Smith and his wife arrived on race day, Janna remembers noticing the medical tent and Intermountain Classic Air Medical helicopter and remarking to her husband: “Do they really need a helicopter for an event like this?”
Her offhand comment proved to be an eerie foreshadowing of the day’s events.
Smith, excited and focused on pacing, aimed not to start too hard or too quickly.
He felt confident, especially during the bike portion, and finished the run five minutes faster than the previous year. However, soon after crossing the finish line, he realized he couldn’t catch his breath or find comfort.
The right side of his neck began to hurt, and he felt nauseous, eventually vomiting. His chest tightened, and despite trying to walk it off, he remained uncomfortable.
Smith then headed to the Intermountain medical tent, asking caregivers: “Do you mind if I sit down for a minute?”
The medical team from Intermountain Cassia Regional Hospital, the official medical provider of the annual event, immediately began monitoring him.
One of the caregivers suggested checking him out further and hooked him up to monitors.
Smith says he could see the team moving swiftly but calmly, and shortly after, they informed Smith, “You’re having a heart attack!”
It was later determined that Smith had suffered a “widow-maker” heart attack, a usually fatal type of heart attack caused by a blockage in the left anterior descending artery.
This type of heart attack is known for its high mortality rate, with statistics indicating that it can be fatal in up to 30-40% of cases, if not treated promptly. Only 12% of people who experience this type of heart attack survive when it occurs outside a hospital.
“You never know what kind of patients you will receive at the medical tent for an event like the Spudman, but it’s usually sore muscles, scraped knees, heat exhaustion, and twisted ankles,” said Brandon Pope, PA-C, physician assistant for Intermountain Cassia Regional Hospital. “We are so glad we were in the right place and time and prepared to recognize the signs of Scott’s heart attack.”
The Intermountain medical team promptly prepared the Classic Air Helicopter for transport.
En route to the St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls, the medical team confirmed to Smith that he had experienced a “major” heart attack.
Once in the air, Smith says all the warmth drained out of him and he began to feel cold and clammy.
“I thought, I know what this means, this could be it,” said Smith. “I thought I was done and began to think of all the recent interactions with my family.”
Seeing his decline, the medical crew administered key medications – nitroglycerin and atropine – and got ready to administer CPR.
But then Smith started to feel warm again and he stabilized.
“Whatever happened is a miracle,” said Smith. “When we landed there were people everywhere performing very scripted, calculated, and fast procedures, but I knew I was OK, because there was always someone looking at me in the eyes, giving me a very calming feeling.”
Doctors told Smith they discovered he had 100% blockage and inserted a stent to open his artery.
After just two days in the hospital, he was able to go home to Lehi to be with his wife and six kids.
For Smith who had already defied the odds by beating Leukemia when he was 25 years old, he says he now feels like he’s on borrowed time, living life to the fullest and being more conscience about his cardiac health.
“Looking back, the care I received was from people not just doing a job, but saving a life,” said Smith. “I can’t repay them.”
For up-to-date information and announcements please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://news.intermountainhealth.org.
NOTE FOR MEDIA: Images and video available upon request.
About Intermountain Health
Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information or updates, see https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.