From rescuer to patient: An EMT’s urgent message on men’s health

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WRIC) -- For decades, TJ Smith, a dedicated volunteer EMT with the Powhatan County Rescue Squad, was the one rushing to save others. He'd seen it all, responding to countless emergencies, often involving individuals in critical condition. Yet, like many men, he neglected his own health, a decision that led to a life-altering cardiac event while on the job.

"I'm sorry to say it this plainly, but I was an idiot," Smith admitted, reflecting on his past complacency. "I was so dumb and so overconfident."

On September 2023, Smith was preparing to head out on a call, responding to a patient with chest pain, when he was suddenly overcome by an intense sensation.

"A giant hot flower balloon in the middle of my chest," he described, recalling the moment he was brought to his knees. "I immediately thought, 'Oh my gosh, I'm having a heart event. I'm on the way to go take care of somebody with a chest pain.'"

Quick thinking saved him -- Smith grabbed a nitroglycerin pill from his medical bag.

"Immediately felt like a million bucks," he said. "And that was great. But it scared me to death, because there's only one thing that nitro fixes when you're having chest pain, and that's a heart problem."

This terrifying experience prompted Smith to finally see a doctor, something he hadn't done in over a decade. The diagnosis was severe coronary artery disease.

"My EKG looked worse than any I've ever taken someone to the hospital for," Smith said.

The path to recovery involved open-heart surgery, a stark reminder of the consequences of a poor diet, lack of exercise, and neglected health screenings.

Photo credit: TJ Smith

"Right next to dead. That's where open heart surgery is," he emphasized.

Now 70 pounds lighter and an American Heart Association CPR instructor, Smith is channeling his experience into a powerful message for other men. He wants those who, like him, considered themselves invincible, to understand the importance of being informed about their health.

"I want everybody that was just like me, who thought they were cool and tough and could handle anything, and was the guy who picked up the heavy end of the couch and all that stuff -- [to] be informed. At least know what you're doing to yourself and your family," Smith said.

(Photo: TJ Smith)

(Photo: TJ Smith)

(Photo: TJ Smith)

(Photo: TJ Smith)

Smith believes that if his message prevents even a few severe health crises like his own, it could be more impactful than his two decades of volunteer work.

He elaborated, "If I could find people who just have the ego that think they've got it all under control and just explain to them that you could save yourself from this tremendously horrible experience of open-heart surgery, by doing just a few things, then I would feel like that might be worth more than the 20 years of volunteer work I ever did, that's for sure."

Smith continues his personal health journey, focusing on making his heart "the healthiest heart that there possibly can be with what I've got left to work with." He even participated in the Heart Walk on October 19th, exactly one year after his open-heart surgery.