A Second Chance: Hugh Thomson's Story of Survival

Hugh Thomson, an active and energetic Ojai resident, defied expectations. At 70 years old, he was the picture of health. An engineer by trade, his days were filled with running, home renovations with his artist wife, and a whirlwind of activities that often included surfing, playing baseball, and making music. But everything came to a sudden standstill when a suspicious tightness in Hugh’s chest turned out to be an indicator of a serious medical emergency.

Swift Action & Seamless Care

When Hugh reported the chest tightness to his wife, Lindsay, she wasted no time and drove him directly to Community Memorial Hospital in Ojai. The Emergency Department receptionist recognized Hugh’s symptoms as signs of a heart attack and immediately whisked him away for evaluation. An EKG – a diagnostic tool used to record the electrical activity of the heart – confirmed the worst. Hugh was experiencing an active heart attack.

The Ojai Emergency Department team immediately called for an ambulance transport to Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura and notified Hugh’s cardiologist, Dr. Shirish Patel.

“Everything went into hyper-speed. They had an ambulance in 3-4 minutes … it was remarkable,” Hugh said.

“All this happened during the time I was filling out the paperwork," said Lindsay. “It felt like mere minutes. I walked out to my car and before I was able to even open my door the ambulance was already at the hospital with sirens blaring.”

The connection between Community Memorial’s hospitals in Ojai and Ventura allows for a quick and coordinated transfer when a higher or more specialized level of care is needed. The services provided in Ojai’s Emergency Department are crucial for the Ojai Valley, which is a 30-minute drive from the nearest major hospital. In Hugh’s case, every minute counted.

Accompanying Hugh on the ride was Leif, one of Ojai’s Emergency Department nurses. He provided crucial comfort to Hugh the whole way to Ventura.

“11 minutes away … 8 minutes away … I could hear the ambulance driver talking to Ventura, telling them how many minutes out,” recalls Hugh.

The Handoff

At Community Memorial Hospital - Ventura, the heart & vascular team was waiting. Leif and Hugh said their goodbyes, and Hugh was transported directly to one of the state-of-the-art Cath Labs. Dr. Patel inserted a stent into Hugh’s right coronary artery (RCA). The RCA and the left anterior descending artery (LAD) are the two main coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart.

“I woke up and was like, ‘that’s it?’ It sort of felt like an outpatient procedure,” Hugh said. “Everything worked like clockwork between the two hospitals.”

A Grateful Heart

By Saturday afternoon, Hugh was home and feeling back to himself.

The Thomsons are eternally grateful for the seamless coordination between both hospitals, Dr. Patel, and the ambulance team. Their swift and expert actions undoubtedly saved Hugh's life, and bought him more time to enjoy his active lifestyle.

In the wake of his experience, Hugh's message to others is simple, yet powerful: "Listen to your body. Know when something's wrong and communicate it clearly."

His story is a powerful reminder that heart attacks can strike anyone, regardless of perceived health. Early recognition of symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention are important for minimizing damage and maximizing recovery. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, don’t delay. Call 911 immediately.

Recognized for Excellence in the Treatment of Heart Failure

Community Memorial Healthcare provides Ventura County with comprehensive, high-quality cardiovascular care across the spectrum, from testing and diagnostics to advanced treatment and cardiac rehabilitation. Dedicated to staying on the leading-edge of the field, our accomplished heart specialists are known for bringing the latest procedures and treatments to our community. You can count on our award-winning care teams to deliver more — more expertise, more resources, and a more personalized approach. There's no reason to leave the area to find the world-class cardiovascular care you want and deserve. Visit mycmh.org/heart to learn more about Community Memorial’s award-winning care.