Recently, an MMA fighter (mixed martial arts) suddenly went into cardiac arrest while working out at the gym. His girlfriend believes the cause was the type of drink he regularly consumed.
Zach Doran, 18, was working out at his local gym when his heart suddenly stopped.
Zachs father, Jason, from Oklahoma, said he received a call from the gym on March 3 saying Zach was injured. When he asked what was happening, the caller said they were performing CPR.
Jason told The Sun: Jach was training and suddenly collapsed. They thought he had been kicked in the chest or hit in the head, but someone filmed Jachs training sessions and they found out that wasnt the case.
According to his family, Jach was a super healthy teenager who became an MMA fighter two years ago. He was also the captain of the local rugby team and had no underlying health conditions.
After being taken to the hospital, Zach fell into a coma. Despite the doctors efforts to treat him, Zach did not improve and his condition worsened.
Jach fell into a coma after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Ten days later, Jachs parents made the painful decision to let their son go. Doctors then turned off his life support machine.
It was horrible, Jason said. We knew it was time to let him go. We felt like he was done fighting, literally.
We prayed about it and made a family decision. We told ourselves that when we felt like he was done fighting, we would let him rest.
It was really hard. We knew we were doing the right thing when we saw that his condition was not getting better but getting worse.
Its emotionally difficult because you know this is the last time youll see your son. Youre trying to hold on to every last moment, but our hearts know its the right thing to do.
Jach with his mom and dad.
Seventeen minutes after doctors turned off life support, Zach passed away. Jason and his wife held their sons hand until the very end.
It was unbelievable, Jason added. But we got to spend those last moments with him. He donated seven vital organs.
Zachs cause of death has not yet been determined.
Were still waiting for the medical examiners report, Jason added. We dont know if he had a heart condition. If he did, its still unclear.
Im very healthy. Im extremely fit, thats why this is such a shock to everyone.
