Two medical professionals forge a closer bond as one performs lifesaving measures on the other.

In a remarkable display of resilience, Dr. Sammy Saab, the medical director of the Adult Liver Transplant Program at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, recently completed a 60-mile mountain trek eight months after suffering a heart attack.

The incident occurred when Dr. Saab, known for his regular exercise routine, had finished a 30-minute stair workout before experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. He was quickly taken to the medical center, which is conveniently located next to his office in the Medical Plaza.

Dr. Saab's heart attack, referred to as a "widow maker" due to its potential to affect up to half of the heart muscle, was a shock to many, as he had no known heart problems. However, Dr. Tamer Sallam, a cardiologist at the same hospital, was ready to help.

Dr. Sallam and his team began their evaluation, and an EKG showed the signs of a heart attack. Dr. Rushi Parikh, MD, performed an emergency angioplasty on Dr. Saab to remove a clot and place a stent. After the procedure, Dr. Saab was hospitalized for four days, spending two days in the ICU and two more in a recovery unit.

Following his recovery, Dr. Saab underwent cardiac rehab, a program of supervised exercise, based on the recommendation of Dr. Sallam. He also started taking about seven medications, including a twice-a-month injectable to treat a type of bad cholesterol called lipoprotein A (LPA).

Dr. Saab's recovery was not without its challenges. During a hiking trip, he carried a 50-pound pack and feared he could die in the remote New Mexico wilderness. However, he found confidence and inspiration during the hike, thinking about Dr. Tamer Sallam.

After the hiking trip, Dr. Saab sent a letter to Dr. Sallam chronicling the challenges he faced during the trip. Dr. Sallam was touched by the gesture and expressed his happiness at Dr. Saab's recovery.

Dr. Sallam is also the co-director of the UCLA Cholesterol Management Center and expects Dr. Saab's prognosis to be excellent based on all the data they have. Some of Dr. Saab's family members have also started seeing Dr. Sallam after Dr. Saab's brothers and son were tested for elevated LPA.

This story serves as a testament to the resilience of Dr. Sammy Saab and the excellent care provided by the team of cardiologists at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, including Dr. Parikh, Eric Yang, MD, and Dr. Sallam.

Courtney Perkes is the author of this article.

Two medical professionals forge a closer bond as one performs lifesaving measures on the other.