Cardiac arrest survivor honored by WomenHeart

The Columbian

Published: May 28, 2013, 5:00pm

Salmon Creek: Members of the WomenHeart heart disease support group celebrated the "re-birthday" of 18-year-old Heidi Stewart during the group's May 16 meeting at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center. Stewart, sitting next to her mother, Anne, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on Feb. 12. Standing from left: Bj Babcock, Bonnie Johnson, Leslea Steffel-Dennis.

Salmon Creek — Heidi Stewart could have died Feb. 12 when she collapsed at school after her heart suddenly stopped. The 18-year-old Evergreen High School senior’s survival from sudden cardiac arrest was celebrated as her “re-birthday” May 16 during a WomenHeart meeting. The support group for women living with, or at-risk of, heart disease meets monthly at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center. Stewart attended with her mom Anne this month and was given cake and party favors along with a heartfelt welcoming, said group coordinator Leslea Steffel-Dennis. “Each of the women attending recited the day of their heart surgery as their re-birthday. There was laughter. We are still here!” Steffel-Dennis wrote in an email.

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