Frank Is ‘Eternally Grateful’ Following Heart Attack
Even though Frank Hranicky retired in 2008 from a 36-year career in broadcast journalism, you wouldn’t know it. More active than many 75-year-olds, the former WCTV news anchor certainly knows how to stay busy.
Frank works full time, is very involved with his six grandchildren, plays his guitar at restaurants and local benefit shows and can often be found on the golf course. In late 2023, however, everything came to a halt when he suffered a massive heart attack.
On Dec. 21, 2023, Frank headed into his job with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services where he works as a Hearing Officer – his second career of over 13 years. Frank doesn’t even remember walking into the building that day.
Upon arriving, he collapsed and was found in the hallway by his colleagues who quickly jumped into action, grabbing an AED machine and performing CPR until paramedics arrived. Frank quickly recounts the names of the fellow employees who helped save his life – Jill, Francine, Ruth, Chris and Jerry – or, as he calls them, “angels.”
Sustained by his fellow employees until Leon County Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) quickly arrived, Frank was without a pulse for 19 minutes until he was revived by the EMTs. He was then rushed to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) where he was stabilized and treated over the next week.
Where Am I?
After lying unconscious and intubated for five days, Frank woke up at TMH with no idea what had happened.
“Where am I?” Frank asked. When told he had a heart attack, he replied, “That’s impossible. I’m healthy!”
Frank needed surgery for blockages in four vessels that cut off blood flow to the heart, which caused his heart attack.
About 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack every year, and heart disease is the leading cause of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately for Frank and many other patients, TMH is home to one of the Southeast’s most advanced heart and vascular programs.
TMH cardiovascular physicians perform more complex procedures and clinical research than any other program in the region.
“Mr. Hranicky had significant multi-vessel coronary artery disease, so when he regained consciousness, we were able to explain the severity of the problem and the importance of surgical intervention,” said Andres Vargas Estrada, MD, Interventional Cardiologist with TMH Physician Partners – Services by Southern Medical Group.
Frank underwent a quadruple bypass, a complicated surgery that uses a vein grafting procedure to reroute blood around blockages so it can flow properly to the heart.
Getting Back to Life
Following a successful surgery, Frank was referred to the Tallahassee Memorial Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program, an outpatient program that helps people with heart, lung and vascular disease regain their quality of life through exercise, nutrition and other healthy behaviors. Frank participated in several weeks of medically supervised exercise and learned more about heart healthy living.
“Cardiopulmonary Rehab is a very warm and welcoming environment,” said Jeff Kuperberg, RN, Frank’s nurse in the program. “It’s rewarding to help patients regain their lives here. They also often gain a lot of confidence back through this process.”
“The Cardiopulmonary Rehab team was extremely welcoming and helpful,” Frank said. “I genuinely looked forward to my rehab as a way to regain my strength and to enjoy the company of a group of friendly people who have my best interest in mind.”
Through his dedication, Frank is working up to his prior “life pace.” He enjoyed his Cardiopulmonary Rehab workouts and, since completing the program, has implemented other lifestyle changes, like regularly exercising and improving his diet, including “using the air fryer more.”
Paying it Forward
This experience has given Frank a new lease on life.
“Just sitting here and talking to you, being able to be with my family and my grandchildren, I am just eternally grateful. And I’m thankful to the surgeons, doctors, EMTs, medical staff, nurses and those at rehab. They helped save my life.”
Part of Frank’s new lease on life is his determination to “pay it forward” by discussing the importance of learning CPR. He recently filmed a news segment with WCTV about his story, encouraging people to get certified in CPR in case they ever come across someone in a similar situation. Frank even helped teach a CPR class at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Frank recently celebrated turning 76 by getting back out on the golf course. He can often be found playing baseball with his grandchildren or singing at Pepper’s Mexican Grill on a Friday evening. While he’s always been a cheerful person, his outlook is now full of gratitude and joy thanks to the life-saving care from his colleagues, emergency services personnel and TMH.
If you think you may benefit from Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation services, please discuss it with your primary care provider and request a referral.
DID YOU KNOW? Early symptoms occur in 50% of heart attack patients. Early Heart Attack Care (EHAC) is a program designed to help you recognize signs as early as weeks before the actual attack. If you think you or someone around you may be having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately. Learn more about heart attack signs and symptoms at TMH.ORG/Survive.
Learn more about the region’s most advanced heart and vascular program at TMH.ORG/Heart.
Frank's Team
Heart Care
TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group - Cardiology
1300 Medical Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 850-216-0100
