A Second Chance at Life: West Michigan Man Shares Heart Attack Survival Story During American Heart Month

HOLLAND, Mich., Feb. 15, 2024 — In honor of American Heart Month, one West Michigan man recounts a day he will never forget after experiencing a severe heart attack while behind the wheel in hopes of encouraging people to focus on their cardiovascular health. 

Dan Janisse, a recent retiree, had begun working as a bus driver when he experienced a dramatic accident that he is lucky to have survived. He described that his day began like any other. After his morning bus run, he returned home to exercise and enjoy a sensible lunch before watering his plants on his patio. Dan then got ready to return to the second half of his shift, and that’s when his day took a turn. 

“As I made a left-hand turn into the bus depot, I had my heart attack and it was severe,” he recalled. “I bounced off of a couple of cars and went through our retainment fence and right into a 15,000-gallon diesel fuel tank.”

In the moments following this dramatic crash, his fellow bus drivers and a quick-responding garage mechanic were able to remove him from the driver’s side window and perform CPR until the Holland EMT arrived a mere four and a half minutes following the accident. Janisse shared that a requirement of his job included being required to learn CPR, for which he is extremely grateful. “Those three individuals kept me alive,” he reflected. 

Janisse was then taken to Holland Hospital to receive treatment for a blocked heart artery, otherwise known as a heart attack. John Gribar, MD, interventional cardiologist, described the immediate treatment that Janisse went through, including an emergency heart procedure to address the blocked artery. With extensive injury to multiple organs, he was then transferred to the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center for further treatment. 

“I was hooked up to an ECMO machine to keep me alive, but I was unresponsive for about four or five days after that first week,” he said. After regaining consciousness two weeks later, Janisse was transferred back to Holland Hospital to begin his path to recovery by beginning cardiac rehab. 
 
“Without really having a world-class facility here in Holland, his outcome would have not been possible,” said Dr. Gribar. “It's easy to look at the amazing equipment we have here, but what really makes this center unique is the people and the staff that work here.”

Holland Hospital Cardiology and Vascular services have been nationally recognized by the National Cardiac Data Registry: Chest Pain-MI Registry™ for superior treatment of heart attack patients. Located on the hospital’s main campus, Holland Hospital offers comprehensive, award-winning cardiology and vascular services, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation and home health.

“I've embraced a situation; I have a positive outlook more than ever and I hug and kiss my wife every day. I would have missed so much,” Janisse reflected. “I am truly blessed to be here. It's a second chance for me.”

American Heart Month 2024 brings a renewed focus on CPR. Throughout February, the American Heart Association is offering four ways to learn CPR and join its “Nation of Lifesavers.” Learn more about this program at heart.org/nation. CPR/AED classes also are available locally through the Red Cross. To learn more about Holland Hospital's cardiology and vascular services, visit hollandhospital.org/find-a-service/cardiology-vascular.