CLEVELAND — At the age of 26, Sam Prewitt was told he wouldn’t live to see 30.
“I won’t live to see 30? I’m active I’m going to out live this," Prewitt said. "But little did I know that doctor was actually almost right.”
If you know Prewitt, you know he’s a very optimistic person and the glass is always half full. He sees the good in almost everyone he meets, but on May 23, 2015, his view of life skipped a beat.
“I got up in the morning and decided to run with a run group called running with the winners and we were at Edgewater Park. After the big hill on Edgewater Park I started to feel a little funny.”
Pacing himself while running, pouring down with sweat, Prewitt couldn’t quite catch his breath.
“I’m usually in the moderate range, but this day I was slower than slow. The last person pretty much lapped me that day."
He felt like he had run a marathon, but he didn’t. That's when he decided to lay down.
“So from that point, I rolled over, unlocked my phone and called my girlfriend.”
She answered.
“I pick up the phone and all I can hear him say is, 'I need you!'” said Prewitt's wife, Alexis.
Sam had an extremely low pulse, but fortunately there was a nurse running with the group who helped keep him alive.
“I really just wanted to get a nap in and get some rest, but if that would have happened I wouldn’t be here talking to you right now," Prewitt said.
For him, this second chance at life was enough to change his ways for good.
“Not only did they confirm I had a heart attack, I had a massive heart attack," Prewitt explained. "The doctor said, 'If you weren't as active as you are, you would not be here.'"
Now, he eats healthy and encourages people to be Heart Strong, which means to make one decision that could possibly save your life.
“I guess when I actually hear people say, 'Hey, I saw Heart Strong and heard your story and you made me go to the gym, that really motivates me to keep going.”
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on Jan. 20, 2022.