East Carolina University senior athlete Hailey Yentz recently experienced a cardiac arrest on campus. She was saved thanks to the quick actions of the medical team.
Hailey was without a pulse for ten minutes before medical help arrived and successfully revived her.
Highlights
- Hailey Yentz, a senior athlete at East Carolina University, survived a cardiac arrest on February 10.
- Hailey’s parents, Stacy and Kevin Yentz, and siblings and teammates were beside her throughout her recovery.
- Despite the end of her athletic career due to a diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), Hailey is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of CPR.
Hailey Yentz is a senior athlete at East Carolina University, competing in track and field and cross country.
Hailey has been involved in sports since high school, and she has built a remarkable athletic career both in high school and college.
She has shown passion and dedication to her sport throughout her career, participating in numerous meets and events.
Moreover, she has accomplished many things during her relatively short career.
Sadly, her sudden health incident on February 10 has left her parents deeply worried and praying for her swift recovery and good health.
Hailey Is No Longer In Danger, But She Will Not Be Able to Continue Her Athletic Career
On February 10, while working out with her teammates at ECU’s Murphy Center, Hailey felt dizzy, lost consciousness, and collapsed.
She had no pulse for ten minutes before being revived by ECU athletic trainers and coaches, who performed CPR and used an AED to restart her heart three times.
After being rushed to ECU Medical Center, Hailey’s parents and sister joined her in the ICU, where they learned she had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Remarkably, her pulse was regained without any neurological or organ damage, a rare outcome for a cardiac arrest patient.
Doctors and athletic trainers described her survival as miraculous. The ECU medical service’s assistant athletic director said:
She was certainly lucky…the other two cases I were called to were not as fortunate so those are tough situations
Nate Clark
Hailey was diagnosed with a rare genetic heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), requiring her to live with a pacemaker and defibrillator.
Although these life-saving devices will keep her safe, her athletic career is over.
The doctors said I can’t do any strenuous activities anymore so I probably won’t be able to run again which when I first heard that it broke my heart
Hailey Yentz
Nonetheless, her survival was miraculous as she had no pulse for ten whole minutes but still managed to pull through.
Despite the end of her athletic career, Hailey aims to raise awareness about the importance of CPR training and inspire others with her miraculous survival.
She is recovering in Greenville with her family and friends and has switched classes to online to finish her final semester.
Hailey’s Parents Remained By Her Side Through Her Recovery And Thanked Everyone Who Provided Assistance
Hailey was born to her parents, Stacy and Kevin Yentz, who have supported her throughout her athletic career.
Further, they remained by her side following her cardiac arrest, offering constant prayers and support for her recovery.
On February 16, Hailey’s mother, Stacy, shared her feelings on Facebook, expressing her gratitude to God and describing her emotions during her daughter’s cardiac arrest. She wrote:
I can’t even begin to process the emotions I have felt this week. I want to thank everyone who reached out as you learned about Hailey. Hailey is a living, breathing, walking miracle. A vision I will never forget is her getting up and walking again and her infectious laugh and beautiful smile. I love you Hailey, you are a piece of my heart
Stacy Garing Yentz
Stacy expressed her gratitude to everyone who reached out and supported them during this difficult time.
She particularly thanked the athletic trainers, weight training staff, Coach Debo, the ECU Athletic Department, EMS, Hailey’s teammates, their family and friends, and the ECU Medical Center doctors and nurses.
With Hailey’s recovery, her parents are relieved, and Stacy feels proud that Hailey is raising awareness about her survival story.
Additional Information
- Hailey attended the Patriot High School and made her collegiate debut at the Elon Opener with a 4K time of 15:21.
- She posted personal-best times in the 5K (16:05) and 6K (19:21) at the Virginia Invitational and Paul Short Run, respectively.
- She participated in several meets, including the Aggie Classic and Bill Carson, where she ran the 800m in 2:41.97 and 2:42.13, respectively.
