Doctor saves heart attack patient—then discovers he’s having one too

In a remarkable twist of fate, emergency physician Dr. Chris Loreto discovered his own heart was in jeopardy while treating a patient at Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) in Canada.

Loreto had been experiencing recurring pain for months, dismissing it as acid reflux. Even after intense discomfort during a hockey game on November 12, he ignored the warning signs and reported for duty the next day—where he helped save a man suffering a major heart attack.

Speaking with the patient’s wife, Loreto realized their symptoms were eerily alike. Blood tests and an electrocardiogram confirmed his worst fear: he, too, was having a heart attack.

Now on medical leave, Loreto is undergoing rehabilitation, including the placement of stents to restore proper blood flow. His story has been shared by TADH in observance of Heart Month 2025, emphasizing the importance of cardiovascular awareness.

Heart disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, with nearly 18 million fatalities annually. Risk factors include poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and genetic predisposition—factors Loreto had overlooked, despite his father experiencing a heart attack at the same age.

Reflecting on his near-miss, Loreto admits he prioritized his patients’ health over his own, a common pitfall in the medical field. “We’re great at caring for others and terrible at caring for ourselves,” he acknowledges.

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