02/15/2026
๐ซ How family history led to heart attack for Wichita executive
Dan Mize doesn't appear to be someone you would think of when you picture a survivor of a heart attack.
At 38 years old, Dan worked out often and stayed active. He had a busy career as an insurance executive and followed a regular fitness routine. To most people, he looked healthy and strong.
But on Nov. 4, 2025, his life changed in a moment.
Dan survived a heart attack and has one message he wants everyone to hear: "It could happen to anyone."
๐ฌ 'It started like a normal day'
That morning, Dan finished his early workout like he always did. As soon as he got in his truck to head to work, he started to feel something was wrong.
"My chest felt like it was in a vice," Dan said. "I was on the phone with my wife and even looked up heart attack symptoms, but I didn't want to scare her.โ
Dan was not sure if he was having a heart attack or not, but he knew whatever he was feeling was not right. He parked his truck and made it back into the gym.
His coach immediately called 911. The heart attack quickly subsided, so he did not feel a need to go in an ambulance, but knew he needed to get to the doctor. He left to go to the doctor's office.
For a second time, he felt chest discomfort along with arm and jaw pain.
Dan pulled off the highway to go to an emergency room, where he had to wait for a few hours to get a blood test to measure his troponin level-an important heart marker and indicator of a heart attack.
During that time there was doubt of a heart attack because he "did not fit the bill of health" and was "too young and fit for a heart attack" to be likely.
He was having a heart attack.
The blood test indicated increased troponin levels.
Dan was then quickly transported to Via Christi St. Francis for emergency heart care.
๐ฅ Sudden cardiac arrest and stents
During a heart catheterization with interventional cardiologist Christian Hourani, MD, Dan went into sudden cardiac arrest.
His care team acted fast. They performed chest compressions and delivered six shocks to restart his heart.
"That last shock woke me up," Dan said. "I remember thinking, 'Go back to sleep.'โ
Doctors found nearly 100% blockages in two areas of his heart.
They placed three stents to restore blood flow and save his life.
Dan was taken to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, for recovery and close monitoring. Thanks to quick action and expert care, his heart stabilized, and he left the hospital two days later.
๐โโก๏ธ Recovering the heart muscle
After leaving the ICU, Dan began cardiac rehabilitation at Via Christi St. Francis. The program helped him rebuild strength and confidence in his heart.
During rehab, nurses closely monitored his heart with EKG while guiding him through safe exercise.
"If the goal was to trust my heart again," Dan said, "Why not push myself in the safest place possible?"
For his final rehab session, Dan set a goal: run a 5K
Exactly three months after his heart attack, he did just that.
"I'd tell everyone to go to cardiac rehab," Dan said. "It gives you peace of mind. You're not alone, and the mental recovery is just as important as the physical."
๐ณ The risk you can't always see
Dan still wondered why this happened to him.
The answer was family history.
On the same date, 24 years earlier, Dan's grandfather had heart bypass surgery at the same hospital. Other close family members also have heart disease. Genetics played a major role in his heart health โ even though he lived an active life.
"Family history matters," Dan said. "You can do everything right and still be at risk."
A message of gratitude and awareness
Today, Dan is focused on raising awareness about heart health.
He is working with the American Heart Association - Kansas as the 2027 Wichita Heart Walk event chair. He's sharing his story so that others will listen to warning signs.
"I want people to know this can happen to anybody," he said
He's also deeply thankful for his care team.
Dan quoted John Wooden when telling his story: โA person cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay them.โ
"Dr. Hourani lived a perfect day that day," Dan said. "Everyone at St. Francis, from emergency care to cardiac rehab, was incredible, and I am so grateful I am here to share my story."
