Local father’s unexpected heart attack becomes Men’s Health Month warning

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- June marks Men's Health Month, a time dedicated to encouraging men, boys and their families to prioritize preventive care and healthy lifestyle choices. A Richmond father and heart attack survivor is sharing his story, urging others to pay close attention to their bodies.

Kyle LeBaron, a healthy 41-year-old father of four with no family history of heart disease, woke up one night in June 2023 to an unusual feeling.

"I felt like I had my 13-year-old daughter sitting on my chest," LeBaron said. "I actually woke up thinking she'd come and lie on top of me or something."

That pressure led to two hours on the couch, debating what to do. Finally, urged by his wife, LeBaron drove himself to the hospital at 4 a.m.

Doctors quickly confirmed LeBaron was experiencing a heart attack.

"Holy cow, I'm 39 years old," LeBaron said when talking about his June 2023 heart attack. "I'd never thought about a heart attack outside of listening to a podcast a couple of days before, of this guy describing what it would feel like."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, pain in one or both arms and jaw pain.

"It didn't hurt. It just felt very different. Very unusual. Knowing the warning signs, I never would have thought that a weight on top of my chest was a bad thing," LeBaron said.

Now, two years later, LeBaron has made a full recovery.

"I exercise. I play with my kids. I do everything that a dad would want to do," LeBaron said. "It's easy to feel invincible, especially [when] younger in age."

Despite his return to full health, LeBaron's journey profoundly shifted his perspective on life.

"We are not here permanently," LeBaron said. "Creating core memories with our loved ones while we can. Taking the opportunities to say, 'Hey, I'm not going to waste this time on frivolous things."

LeBaron has been involved with the American Heart Association for 13 years and has pledged to raise $5,000 for this year's Central Virginia Heart Walk.

LeBaron's story is vital reminder that while a healthy lifestyle is the best defense in preventing heart disease, it can still happen to those who least expect it. That's why it's important to know the warning signs and get regular checkups with your doctor.