One team, one heartbeat: Dan's heart attack story

One team, one heartbeat: Dan's heart attack story
March of 2024 was a very difficult month for Incarnate Word Academy athletic director and girls’ basketball coach Dan Rolfes.

His Red Knights won their 13th MSHSAA state title while Dan was in MU Health Care’s cardiac intensive care unit, recovering from a widow-maker heart attack. He doesn’t remember the 24 hours before his heart attack, or what he felt like when his body started to shut down because of a blocked coronary artery.

“My mental approach to life is so different,” Dan said. “I found out real quick that death is a reality. I want to be a grandpa, I want to see my kids get married, and I don’t know how much I thought about that prior to this.”

Thanks to CPR from his wife, Lisa, and quick action from EMTs and MU Health Care doctors, nurses, and staff, Dan’s story is one of hope and one of action. He wants people to get their hearts checked, and Lisa, a nurse, is encouraging everyone to get CPR certified.