Couple Knows Importance of CPR Training

Gloria and Francis Bean understand, better than most, the importance of CPR Training. Mrs. Bean, who worked as a nurse at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, once saved her husband’s life because of her training.

The couple had taken a walk on July 4 at a family member’s farm when, with no warning at all, Mr. Bean went into cardiac arrest. Mrs. Bean recalls that she and her husband were talking when Mr. Bean just collapsed and was not breathing.

“There were no warning signs,” Mr. Bean says. “You know how, with heart attacks or cardiac events, there are symptoms or warnings? There were none.”

Mrs. Bean has been a registered nurse at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for 36 years, but the patient before her was her husband. They were only five minutes from their own home, but it may as well have been miles away. “We didn’t take our cell phones,” Mrs. Bean said.

Driven by instinct and adrenaline, Gloria began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): the technique of administering chest compressions and giving breaths to assist a person who is not breathing or is experiencing a cardiac event. CPR restores oxygenated blood to vital organs by pumping blood through the body, and/or giving breaths to oxygenate the blood being pumped.

“I was probably out there for 15 minutes,” Gloria says, “but then I really thought I needed to get help.”

She sprinted to find her brother-in-law and call 911, then returned to continue CPR. It took 10 more minutes before first responders could arrive.

“You’ve never been so happy to see anyone in your life,” Mrs. Bean said.

Members of the Second District Fire Department and Rescue Squad — where Mr. Bean has volunteered — revived him with a defibrillator. He was taken to the Emergency Department at MedStar St. Mary’s, where he was seen by Dr. Daniel Geary, medical director of the Emergency Department, and the emergency staff before he was flown to MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

The Cardiac Catheterization Lab at the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute found that Mr. Bean had a 100 percent blockage in one artery. Surgery was required to clear the blockage and put in a stent to keep the artery open. Mr. Bean was discharged after just two days with a LifeVest — a wearable defibrillator — that provided protection and peace of mind while he recovered at home.

A few short months later, Mr. Bean smiles at his wife of 35 years. The couple have four grown children and three grandchildren, all of whom are grateful that Mrs. Bean was with her husband that day.

“It’s so important that CPR was started immediately. Your chances of recovery drop with every minute until help arrives,” Mr. Bean said.

Mr. Bean has begun a supervised exercise program at the Grace Anne Dorney Pulmonary & Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at MedStar St. Mary’s, where his vital signs can be monitored during low-impact routines. The intensity of his workouts has increased gradually to safely return him to an active lifestyle.

The couple urges that everyone should take a CPR course to be able to assist others in a crisis. At least 10 of their family members have become certified since July.

“You never know when you’re going to need CPR,” said Mrs. Bean. “You think the skills aren’t going to come back to you, but they do. You never know whose life you’re going to save — it could be your loved one.”

The couple have resumed their routine of walking an hour around the farm and home again.

“But we take a cell phone now,” Mrs. Bean said with a smile.

For more information and one-click access to a full list of resources available at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, visit their Leader Page.