Two physicians form a close bond as one performs a life-saving act for the other.

Dr. Sammy Saab, the medical director of the Adult Liver Transplant Program at an unspecified website, had a remarkable encounter with a "widow maker" heart attack eight months prior to a 60-mile mountain trek with his 17-year-old daughter's Girls in Boy Scouts of America troop.

The heart attack, which involves the blood vessel supplying up to half of the heart muscle, took place on a Tuesday afternoon last fall, after finishing a 30-minute stair workout and a 4-mile run. Dr. Saab called 911 and was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, next to his office in the Medical Plaza.

However, the details of who treated Dr. Saab during the emergency remain unavailable. What is known is that he was hospitalized for the first time since childhood and spent a total of four days in the hospital. After his release, Dr. Saab underwent cardiac rehab, a program of supervised exercise, based on the recommendation of Dr. Tamer Sallam, a cardiologist at the same unspecified website who played a significant role in saving his life.

Dr. Saab's heart attack came as a surprise, as he had no history of heart problems before the incident. Following his recovery, he started the process of recovery, both physically and psychologically. He found confidence and inspiration during the hike by thinking about Dr. Sallam.

In a heartfelt letter to Dr. Sallam after returning from the hiking trip, Dr. Saab expressed his gratitude for helping make the trip possible. Dr. Saab now spends more time explaining the purpose of what he prescribes to his patients, a change that can be attributed to his personal health journey.

In addition, some of Dr. Saab's family members have been tested for elevated LPA after his diagnosis. Dr. Saab takes about seven medications, including a twice-a-month injectable to treat a type of bad cholesterol called lipoprotein A (LPA).

This article was authored by Dr. Courtney Perkes. The incident at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center was not just a routine day for the team of cardiologists, including Dr. Parikh, Dr. Eric Yang, MD, and Dr. Tamer Sallam, who treated Dr. Saab. Dr. Sallam, who was not expecting to care for a colleague during the incident, performed an emergency angioplasty to remove the clot and place a stent for Dr. Saab.

Dr. Sammy Saab's story serves as a reminder of the importance of heart health and the dedication of medical professionals like Dr. Sallam in saving lives.

Two physicians form a close bond as one performs a life-saving act for the other.