We’ve been conditioned to eat well, get exercise, and take good care of our bodies. Although one can deduce that will equal good health, there are rarities in which our bodies mysteriously malfunction. For example, a 46-year-old mom of 2 from Las Vegas collapsed after going into cardiac arrest at the gym.
Alicia Groeblinghoff, born in Pomona, and grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. A college graduate from UNLV, she went on to become COO of Morgan Specialties. Alicia loved to play softball, a hobby that she and her husband shared. In fact, that’s how they met. She once told her sister, “What really made me fall in love with him was that he is really good at playing softball.” The pair were married in 2004 and had 2 children, a boy, and a girl. They lived a happy and healthy life together, with Alicia regularly attending the gym.
Seeking Help from the Community
Tragedy befell the family recently as Alicia collapsed at the gym after going into cardiac arrest. She was rushed to the hospital and put on life support. Unfortunately, she died the next day. As a result, her “friend and business partner of 30 years” Michele Morgan started a GoFundMe page stating, “She was such an amazing soul, with a contagious smile, and kindness that we do not see every day. Everyone who was fortunate enough to have their path come in contact with Alicia’s, immediately loved her.” The $250,000 goal was set help with medical bills and for her children’s futures.
Expert Thoughts
Dr. Alfred Danielian spoke with 8 News Now, explaining that it’s always important to check on your heart health. Even if you’ve never had any kind of health problems or concerns, things can go undetected. For example, congenital defects, coronary artery disease, electrical problems, and post pandemic, issues related to COVID-19. “We did see incidents; it was a little higher than the vaccine. But again, this was self-limited.” Explained Dr. Danielian. It’s still unknown what caused Alicia to go into cardiac arrest but it’s important to care for your body and that means occasionally consulting with medical professionals to check on its inner workings.
Although this case of cardiac arrest is a mystery, it’s proof that we never know when our bodies will fail us. Fortunately, some things can be done to try and prevent cardiac arrest, or other mysterious health concerns. First and foremost, it’s most important to always include medical professionals when monitoring your health or if you feel as though something is off.
What is Cardiac Arrest
Second, what is cardiac arrest? Is it the same as a heart attack? In short, they’re similar but not the same.
A heart attack comes from “inadequate blood flow” or a blockage that damages the heart muscle. Meanwhile, cardiac arrest is when the heart beats too quickly, is off rhythm, or stops altogether. This disrupts blood flow to other major organs, such as the lungs and brain, causing a person to become unresponsive. Simply put, according to Harvard Health, the difference is a “plumbing vs. electrical issue.”
Other Mysterious Cases
Alicia isn’t the only person to suffer mysteriously from cardiac arrest. A 35-year-old Hockey player recently collapsed, and doctors said there were “no red flags”.
Furthermore, NFL player Damar Hamlin also suffered from cardiac arrest. Luckily he was able to make it to the hospital for treatment thanks to life-saving CPR.
Additionally, high School student Jordan Brister passed away a few days after collapsing at school after suffering from cardiac arrest and according to the autopsy report, “acute bacterial pneumonia and tracheitis”.
Although Alicia’s untimely death was a painful loss for her family and friends, it’s a wakeup call and reminder of just how fragile life can be. Moreover, we never know how our futures will unfold so it’s important to cherish our loved ones and take in every moment and lesson life has to offer. “We never think that we are going to leave work on Friday and not come back on Monday,” Morgan said. “She was a beautiful human being, and this should not have happened.”
Keep Reading: 18-year-old dies after suffering cardiac arrest in bathroom after gym class, parents say
Sources
- “Woman calls on community for help after friend dies suddenly of cardiac arrest.” KLAS. Sasha Loftis. January 12, 2023.