Chagrin Falls woman survives cardiac arrest thanks to bystander CPR

A 64-year-old woman is alive today after a neighbor performed CPR when she went into cardiac arrest while walking a dog.

Debbie Davis was walking in Chagrin Falls when her life changed in an instant.

“My legs started burning and I thought, boy, I need to get back to my car. I was probably one and a half miles away and from what I’m told, I was screaming ‘help me, help me,’” Davis said.

Davis had gone into cardiac arrest due to a blockage in one of her main heart arteries at the widow maker location. She was without a pulse for 15 minutes. Davis was 63-years-old when this happened

Bystander’s quick action

Elizabeth, a bystander who was in her driveway preparing to take her mother to a doctor’s appointment, performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

“Elizabeth was in her driveway getting ready to take her mother to her doctor’s appointment. If she hadn’t been there, I would not be alive today,” Davis said.

Dr. Steven Filby, a cardiologist with University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, said the quick response made all the difference.

“Early CPR is absolutely detrimental in saving Debbie’s life. The mortality for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is extremely high,” Filby said.

Warning signs ignored

Davis said she had warning signs in the weeks before her cardiac arrest.

“I had a few weeks prior had on and off dizzy spells. I ignored it and if I had not ignored it, I could have saved myself a lot of heartache and pain. You have to be vigilant about your health,” Davis said.

Recovery and lifestyle changes

Today, Davis lives with a pacemaker and has returned to walking dogs, logging about five miles a day. She has also made lifestyle changes, including giving up smoking.

The retired police officer, who once performed CPR herself, has a message for others.

“Definitely go get trained for CPR,” Davis said.

Davis is now here for her six-year-old granddaughter, who asks her every time they meet: “How is your heart?”

CPR courses are available through the American Heart Association.