A relatively rare treatment in the Region that's a proven life-saver for heart attack victims that recently became available at Franciscan St. Anthony Health in Crown Point, is credited for saving a Region man's life.
56-year-old, Greg Wornhoff, Cedar Lake Councilman and former volunteer firefighter says he doesn't fit the mold of someone with congestive heart failure and recounted on that fateful day he was helping with the delivery of some fuel to his barn when he collapsed on the concrete floor of the barn with the doors wide open. 

Dr. Daniel Netluch, Chief of Emergency Services, who was instrumental in bringing therapeutic hypothermia" to the hospital, says the treatment protects brain cells by slowing down the body's metabolic rate by slowly cooling the body down to 32-degrees. Wornhoff says he does not recall much after being found. 

Interestingly enough, the heart attack survivor says doctors told him after the fact, that he had quite a few heart attacks over the last  eight to ten years.  Wornoff says he did not even know he had the attacks which he says was caused by 100% of his arteries being blocked and another artery blocked 80 tor 85% percent.  He adds that doctors want to put in more stints and a defibrillator but are waiting until he further recuperates.

Wornhoff advises that "once you hit that 50-mark go in and get checked out, because you never know."
Listen to our entire interview with Greg Wornhoff at:  http://www.regionenwsteam.com

Greg Wornhoff and his medical team at Franciscan St. Anthony Health in Crown Point.
(photo provide by Franciscan Alliance)
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