Surviving a Heart Attack While Surfing

Bob Kiefer, 75, is a devoted family man and retired sheriff’s special officer from San Juan Capistrano, CA. He always led an active lifestyle, surfing nearly every day. One day at the beach, Bob began experiencing heart attack symptoms following a morning surf. A friend called for help and Bob was rushed to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA.

Once in the catheterization lab, Sanjay Bhojraj, MD, recognized Bob was in cardiogenic shock. Dr. Bhojraj implanted the Impella CP® heart pump before performing a procedure to clear blocked arteries and restore blood flow to Bob's heart. After three days of support, Bob’s heart function returned to normal. He left the hospital nine days later and completed cardiac rehab. 

Today, Bob enjoys surfing with some of the members of his cardiac rescue team, and shares waves with Dr. Bhojraj regularly on Sunday mornings.