Linton Beck had never had a symptom before his cardiac arrest on April 20, 2022.
Linton, 16, was in chemistry class at Station Camp High School in Gallatin, Tennessee, waiting for the second bell to ring when he suddenly slumped over and went into Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
According to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Station Camp High School is among 326 schools to achieve the Heart Safe School designation through Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Project ADAM – and there are 5 AEDs placed throughout the high school.
Thanks to the quick actions of the school staff, and the use of CPR and an AED, Linton survived – and is doing well.
“Prior to April 20, there were no known heart issues with Linton,” says his dad, Stephen. “He was very active and athletic, and there was never an indication that there was a concern of a heart issue.”
Linton now has an ICD, and sees the team at Children’s Hospital, including Dr. Prince Kannankeril, Professor, Pediatric Cardiology at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Co-Director of the Center for Pediatric Precision Medicine (CPPM) and Richard B. Johnston Jr. MD, Chair in Pediatric Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and SADS Foundation Scientific Advisor.
“He’s been phenomenal to work with,” says Stephen. “He’s brilliant and very down-to-earth with me and Linton.”
Linton’s mother, Rejyna, says that the entire Children’s Hospital staff has been incredible. “They explain to us in detail what’s going on, and what our results are. We’re not just another patient – they take the time to get to know us.”
Some of the biggest challenges after Linton’s SCA include scaling back activity and readjusting to Linton’s condition. “There’s a fatigue that comes from readjusting to our new normal,” says Stephen.
“I went to school that day a normal kid,” says Linton. “Now I’ve had a cardiac arrest, and I have a heart condition.”
The Beck family wants others to know that SCA can happen to anyone – not just older people. “It could be the person sitting behind you in class – it could be anybody,” says Linton. “You need to be ready and know what to do in those circumstances.”
Stephen says that as a parent, it’s hard to know that you can do everything in your power to keep your kids safe – and yet SCA can still happen. “Having an AED at his school, and the planning and training to use it, was lifesaving,” he says. “Linton’s nurse said that the staff’s response time saved his life – and he has no long-term damage because of that quick response.”
Linton’s parents also want others to know that SCA doesn’t necessarily look like it does on TV. “They thought Linton was having a seizure at first,” says Rejyna. “That’s why it’s so important to have people trained, and know when to jump into action.”
Learn more about how you can help spread awareness this National CPR & AED Awareness Week here.