On a warm July morning, 67-year-old James Ryan set out on a hike, something he had done countless times before. But partway through, he felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest and became short of breath. “I just didn’t feel right,” James recalls. He made his way down the trail to where his wife, Tina, a former NICU and maternal care nurse, was waiting. Her instincts told her not to waste a moment. Together, they drove directly to Columbia Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department in Astoria.

From the moment they arrived, the ER team moved with precision. Within minutes, an EKG confirmed their fears: James was experiencing an acute STEMI, a severe and time-sensitive heart attack. “The doctor walked right in and said, ‘You’re having a heart attack, and Life Flight Network is on their way,’” James says.

In a time-sensitive emergency, like a STEMI, every second makes a difference. Outcomes often worsen when time to definitive care is delayed. Life Flight Network arrived quickly, spending just seven minutes at James’ bedside before lifting off. The 32-minute flight delivered him directly to Oregon Health & Science University’s Cath Lab—less than 45 minutes after his first symptoms began. “I definitely would not be here if it weren’t for Life Flight,” James declared.

At OHSU, James underwent immediate treatment to restore blood flow. But his ordeal wasn’t over. The following day, his condition worsened, and he was placed on a balloon pump to support his heart. Three days later, surgeons performed a double bypass and valve replacement—a testament to just how severe his heart attack had been.

The most terrifying period for his family came afterward, with James remaining unconscious for three days. His blood pressure dropped dangerously low, and he remained on a ventilator. Tina stayed at his side, joined by their daughter, Lucianne, who arrived from California and remained in Portland for six weeks.

Through determination, expert care, and the right help at the right time, James made a remarkable recovery. He has completed cardiac rehab, taking every exercise seriously. He remains incredibly active, including a routine of 100 pushups a day. He and Tina are now retired, living in Hillsboro, OR, and preparing to move into their new home.

“I couldn’t have had a better experience with Life Flight Network,” James says. “If they hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here today.”