Jana’s Story: How CPR and an AED Saved Her Life

On January 2, 2019, at just 33 years old, Jana suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).  

She had traveled with her husband, Ricardo, and children to Brazil to celebrate New Year’s Eve with family. At around 2 a.m., Jana suddenly woke up gasping for air. Her 4-year-old daughter, who was asleep next to her, began to cry and scream for help. Jana’s husband checked her pulse and started performing CPR while instructing her father to retrieve an AED.  

Fortunately, Ricardo’s training as a technician for St. Jude Medical, a medical device company, proved lifesaving. ‘I didn’t do it perfectly, but any CPR is better than no CPR’, he recalls. 

One shock from the AED restarted Jana’s heart, but it remained out of rhythm. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with Long QT Syndrome, a genetic heart condition. Jana spent two weeks in the ICU, experiencing memory loss in the first few days, before being discharged with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and a confirmed diagnosis of Long QT Syndrome Type 3. 

In 2024, Jana was crowned Mrs. Florida American and now uses her platform to advocate for CPR training in schools across Florida. She also hosts the podcast Heart of Hope, where she interviews SCA survivors and shares stories of resilience. As an ambassador for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, she is dedicated to educating others about life with an ICD and the challenges of living with arrhythmia. 

Reflecting on her time in the ICU, Jana recalls, “I didn’t know what was happening to me. I was smiling so much because I thought I was getting ready for a party. I didn’t understand I was in a hospital—I even thought I had curlers in my hair.” 

From survivor to advocate, Jana’s journey is a testament to the power of awareness, preparedness, and the lifesaving impact of CPR.

To learn more about Long QT Syndrome, visit The SADS Foundation website at: www.sads.org. 

Author: David Hutton.