As an assistant baseball coach at Newark High School, Anthony “Tony” Shonebarger was satisfied with his physical condition as he neared his 50th birthday.  Born and raised in Licking County, Tony had participated in sports in high school and college.  He currently serves as an underwriting supervisor at State Farm Insurance and remains very active.  After becoming a father, he shared his love of baseball with his three children by coaching little league for his sons, Alex and Bryce, and softball for his daughter, Brooklyn (Brooke).  He enjoys every opportunity to encourage his children as they exercise and participate in various sports.

In June 2020, Tony began feeling pain in his chest while out jogging with his youngest son, Bryce.  “It felt like someone had put a stake through my heart, and then put an anvil on top of my chest,” he said.  Tony, who is certified in first aid, was aware of the symptoms of a heart attack.  “I knew it was possible that I was experiencing a cardiac event, but I kept making excuses.  I had spent the weekend at a softball tournament, and it had been hot.  I thought maybe I was dehydrated.”  Tony called his daughter, Brooke, to come and take him and Bryce home.  The pain continued at home, and Tony decided he needed medical attention when he noticed his arm was numb. 

Tony did not feel well enough to drive himself to Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH), so he asked Alex to drive him to the LMH Emergency Department (ED) as fast as he could.  When the two arrived at LMH, staff members quickly responded to Tony’s symptoms by ordering an electrocardiogram (EKG) and having it interpreted by an ED physician within minutes.  “The nurse on duty took immediate action and suggested I call my wife, Julie, and let her know what was happening,” Tony said.  “The entire staff was amazing.  They offer excellent patient care in all they do, and you can tell they enjoy their jobs.”  Ten minutes after his arrival, he was diagnosed with a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) – a heart attack caused by the complete blockage of a heart artery. 

When a person experiences a STEMI heart attack, an unstable plaque built up on the wall in a heart artery suddenly ruptures.  In response, the blood builds up a clot in an attempt to heal the rupture.  However, the clot formation can result in a total blockage of the artery leading to the loss of blood supply to the heart beyond the blockage.  The heart muscle stops working within minutes and could stop functioning all together unless the artery can be reopened.  For this reason, every minute from the onset of a heart attack is absolutely critical.  LMH has a STEMI team that always is ready for such alerts and works quickly to open blocked arteries by using angioplasty or stent placement. 
When the STEMI alert was sounded, the STEMI team, including Licking Memorial Cardiologist Hassan Rajjoub, M.D., prepared Tony for the cardiac cath and began the process to unblock the clogged artery.  Dr. Rajjoub placed four stents in his heart and Tony was taken to recovery.  Julie and Brooke were brought into his room where they found him talking to the staff.  “I really do not remember what happened after I went in for the procedure.  Julie told me I seemed fine,” Tony shared.  However, Tony’s body continued to produce clots and his heart stopped several more times.  “My wife told me, while the scenario was frightening, the LMH staff responded with true professionalism.  She said they moved in military-like precision.  Everyone had a task to perform, and they quickly reacted to resuscitate and stabilize me.”  Tony then was taken to a Columbus hospital for a more intense heart surgery.

Tony was released from the Columbus hospital during the first week of July and began participating in the LMH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in August.  The program focuses on complete cardiac patient care, including the development of an individualized health and fitness plan to restore and enhance both physical and psychological wellness.  The LMH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and has met quality standards required by the Association to ensure the highest level of patient care.  Tony visited the Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic three times a week where he was provided with the tools needed to safely establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle.  He attended educational sessions and exercise classes, where a mobile device was used to monitor his heart rate and oxygen levels.  “The monitor was comforting, and I felt more secure about exercising because I knew the Clinic staff would not let me overexert myself.”  Thanks to the assistance of the staff and with Dr. Rajjoub’s clearance, Tony was able to jog on a treadmill by the end of his 12-week program.

With a sense of humor and faith, Tony is accepting and sharing the lessons learned from his situation.  “One of the exercise physiologists said that you cannot out-exercise a bad diet.  That was my downfall.  I knew I was eating unhealthy, but I thought I was active enough to get away with it.  This has been a blessing in disguise, because I would still be eating the same way,” Tony reflected.  Tony also knew he had high cholesterol and now suggests to others that they know their numbers, listen to the physician’s advice and act on it.  Another lesson that Tony learned is not to wait for treatment.  “My friends and family are in disbelief that after my jog I actually took a shower before going to the ED.  I am lucky to have survived delaying the needed surgery as long as I did.”  Tony praises the attitude of the LMH staff, from the ED to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic.  “I was treated like a member of their own family.  The staff at the Clinic are motivational, energizing and so positive.  I cannot thank them all enough.”  He is looking forward to jogging again with Bryce who is considering participation in Cross Country. 

LMH takes great pride in providing excellent cardiovascular services to the community specializing in providing timely lifesaving techniques and the latest technology for patients with the risk of cardiovascular disease.  Anyone experiencing symptoms of a heart attack should call 911 immediately.  The outstanding relationship with the local emergency medical services (EMS) means patients can expect rapid, exceptional care prior to reaching the Hospital.  LMH’s equipment and software allow medics to deliver an EKG to the ED before the patient arrives.