Indiana man survives massive heart attack after 43 minutes of CPR, 31 shocks

Mike Brouillette, 52, did not fit the profile of a heart attack victim. The leadership coach exercised regularly and did not smoke or drink. Then, without warning, he suddenly could not move his arms or speak.

Brouillette was rushed to Lutheran Hospital, where medical staff worked to stabilize him following a massive heart attack. At one point, doctors pulled his wife, Mandi, aside to deliver a concerning update.

‘31 times is not something you hear daily’

Nurse Emily Arteaga was part of the team that treated Brouillette.

“His heart went through quite a bit, because he had got shocked 31 times,” Arteaga said. “31 times is not something you hear daily, in fact it was the first time I had ever heard it and I’ve been in healthcare for 15 years.”

Doctors also performed CPR for 43 minutes. Mandi Brouillette said the medical team warned her about what survival might look like.

“They said if he does make it, he probably won’t be the same person coming back to you,” she said.

Recovery and a message for others

Brouillette survived and has since reunited with the nursing staff who treated him. He said he tires more quickly than before but is otherwise making a full recovery.

He is now urging others to be proactive about their heart health.

“Get a heart check, it’s critically important, do a stress test, be as proactive as possible,” Brouillette said.

Brouillette also reflected on his survival. He thanks the entire medical team for the fact he is still alive.

“It’s as if God took all of their training, all of their skills and giftedness, the unity, the trust that they have and wove it together into this rope that pulled me back from the edge of death,” he said.

Brouillette said he is writing a book about his experience, tentatively titled Miracle Mike. February is American Heart Month.