(West Des Moines, IA) -- The Red Cross of Central Iowa has recognized a Waukee woman with a lifesaving award. Vonda Brock used compressions to save her husband Kyle's life when he had a heart attack.
Kyle says he woke up in the middle of the night with some chest discomfort, took an antacid, and went back to sleep. He says the next thing he remembered was waking up in the hospital a couple of days later, recovering from a heart attack and heart surgery. Doctors told him his wife Vonda had saved his life.
Vonda says she remembers Kyle making some strange sounds while sleeping. She tried to rouse him to ask if he was okay but he did not respond. Vonda says she grabbed her phone, turned on the light, and saw that Kyle was turning purple so she called 911. Vonda then used CPR training she had received 10 years ago while working at a YMCA, so she managed to get Kyle from the bed to the floor and did chest compressions for five minutes until paramedics arrived and took over. Kyle was taken to the hospital where doctors performed surgery and he made a complete recovery.
Kyle says he had no previous heart history, but due to his family history, he had worked hard to eat right and exercise.
The American Red Cross in Iowa has been promoting hands-only CPR. Volunteers trained thousands of people at this year's Iowa State Fair and during race weekend at the Iowa Speedway in Newton. Angie Jewett, Interim Executive Director for the Northern and Central Iowa chapters of the American Red Cross says it's easy and she encourages businesses and groups to consider offering the training.