Second Chance to Save Lives

Steve Lamp loves his work as a firefighter in Westfield, Indiana USA. His regular shift includes five other firefighters, a tight-knit group just like family to Steve. Their lives depend on each other, and when something is wrong with any of them, the whole team is affected.

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About five years ago, Steve noticed a "weird feeling" while attending a wedding, and moments later he passed out and was rushed to the hospital. Tests were inconclusive, and Steve returned to his normal routine, but 18 months later, he fainted again for no apparent reason. After further cardiology tests, Steve was sent to a neurologist, who diagnosed a fainting disorder called syncope, but could not determine the underlying cause.

Over the next several years, Steve experienced occasional fainting episodes, but they happened infrequently and did not disrupt his life. But in July 2002, after a shift at the fire station, Steve passed out repeatedly when he got home. When his wife, Bonnie, and two children returned, they knew something was wrong and rushed Steve to the hospital emergency room.

Doctors determined that Steve was suffering from bradycardia, a slow heartbeat that was causing his fainting spells. They implanted St. Jude Medical's Identity® pacemaker, our newest, most advanced pacemaker. (Learn more about the cardiac pacemaker system.)

Although Steve was concerned the pacemaker might affect his job, doctors reassured him he could go back to work with no restrictions. The news was reassuring to his worried co-workers, who couldn't imagine losing a member of the team. The day after surgery, Steve felt "great," and 10 days later he returned to the fire department. Although the other firefighters were initially concerned about him, after the first fire they were amazed at how normal he seemed. "I don't even think about it anymore," says Steve. "To me, the pacemaker is just my backup system that allows me to keep doing the things I love."