Tracey Conway

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Tracey Conway (born August 27, 1956) is an actress, comedienne, writer and cardiac health advocate. She was a regular cast member on KING-TV's Almost Live! , a Seattle-based sketch comedy show, from 1984 to 1999.

Contents

Early life

Conway earned a BFA (Theater Arts) from the University of New Mexico. [1] A classically trained actress, she attained a MFA in Drama from the University of Southern California and moved to Seattle to pursue stage acting. [2] Conway was diagnosed with arrhythmia in her 20s and was prescribed medication. [3] She lost her only brother, Mark, to a heart attack [4] at age 39. [3]

Almost Live!

Conway came to the attention of the Almost Live! creative team while temping in the human resources department of KING television as she pursued her theater acting career. She was first recruited by the show for an April Fool's Day sketch depicting the fictitious collapse of Seattle's Space Needle, where her "eyewitness" performance resulted in the station being inundated with calls and the 9-1-1 callboard being disabled. [2]

Conway was one of the main female performers on Almost Live!, and her recurring characters included the eponymous character in "The Worst Girlfriend in the World" sketches. [5] In 1992, just prior to the show starting its two year run on the Comedy Central network, Conway won the Northwest Emmy Award for Best Talent. She won two Emmy award nominations for her writing on the show. [2]

Heart attack

On January 21, 1995, at the close of a live taping of Almost Live!, Conway's heart went into potentially fatal arrhythmia ventricular fibrillation and she collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest on the set of the show. At first, the audience thought the collapse was a joke, as the cast had just done a sketch spoofing the television show ER . [6] According to Conway, "A hundred people laughed at me. They assumed this was an actor's pratfall", but her fellow cast members knew this was unscripted. [4] A volunteer firefighter in the audience performed CPR on Conway until first responders arrived. [6] After about 18 minutes, [6] following the sixth defibrillator shock, Conway's heart begin beating on its own again. [4]

Conway was transported by Medic One to Harborview Medical Center, the sole level one emergency hospital in the northwest, and was treated in the emergency cardiac care unit for four days. Following multiple tests that determined her cardiac arrest was idiopathic, she was transferred to Harborview's sister hospital, the University of Washington Medical Center, where an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was implanted in her chest.

Two weeks after Conway's collapse on the set of Almost Live!, she was back on set for a live taping. She continued to be a full-time cast member and writer for the remainder of the show's 15-year run. Conway has said she suspects that cigarettes she smoked during a sketch may have played a factor in her heart attack. [3]

Advocacy

Conway is now a regular speaker on the dangers of heart disease. [7] Her presentations have included Drop Dead Gorgeous! and Dead: Been There! Done That! [8] She is a regular keynote speaker at "Go Red for Women!" events across the country for the American Heart Association. [2] At her speaking engagements, she encourages attendees to know their blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, blood sugar and other heart-related factors and has them demonstrate CPR to the sounds of the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive". [6]

Conway has served as emcee and auction host for fundraising events, is involved with several organizations promoting automated external defibrillators (AEDS) and ICDs, serves on the board of Seattle's Hope Heart Institute and is a professional member of the National Speakers Association. [8] In addition to her speaking engagements, she has contributed to Chicken Soup for the Soul and has appeared on PBS' Second Opinion . [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiac arrest</span> Sudden failure of heart beat

Cardiac arrest, also known as sudden cardiac arrest, is when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. As a result, blood cannot properly circulate around the body and there is diminished blood flow to the brain and other organs. When the brain does not receive enough blood, this can cause a person to lose consciousness. Coma and persistent vegetative state may result from cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is also identified by a lack of central pulses and abnormal or absent breathing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiopulmonary resuscitation</span> Emergency procedure for cardiac arrest

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure consisting of chest compressions often combined with artificial ventilation, or mouth to mouth in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person who is in cardiac arrest. It is recommended for those who are unresponsive with no breathing or abnormal breathing, for example, agonal respirations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardioversion</span> Conversion of a cardiac arrhythmia to a normal rhythm using an electrical shock or medications

Cardioversion is a medical procedure by which an abnormally fast heart rate (tachycardia) or other cardiac arrhythmia is converted to a normal rhythm using electricity or drugs. Synchronized electrical cardioversion uses a therapeutic dose of electric current to the heart at a specific moment in the cardiac cycle, restoring the activity of the electrical conduction system of the heart. Pharmacologic cardioversion, also called chemical cardioversion, uses antiarrhythmia medication instead of an electrical shock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defibrillation</span> Treatment for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias

Defibrillation is a treatment for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, specifically ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib) and non-perfusing ventricular tachycardia (V-Tach). A defibrillator delivers a dose of electric current to the heart. Although not fully understood, this process depolarizes a large amount of the heart muscle, ending the arrhythmia. Subsequently, the body's natural pacemaker in the sinoatrial node of the heart is able to re-establish normal sinus rhythm. A heart which is in asystole (flatline) cannot be restarted by a defibrillator; it would be treated only by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and medication, and then by cardioversion or defibrillation if it converts into a shockable rhythm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brugada syndrome</span> Heart conduction disease

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetic disorder in which the electrical activity of the heart is abnormal due to channelopathy. It increases the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and sudden cardiac death. Those affected may have episodes of syncope. The abnormal heart rhythms seen in those with Brugada syndrome often occur at rest. They may be triggered by a fever.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automated external defibrillator</span> Portable electronic medical device

An automated external defibrillator or automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator</span> Medical device

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) is a device implantable inside the body, able to perform defibrillation, and depending on the type, cardioversion and pacing of the heart. The ICD is the first-line treatment and prophylactic therapy for patients at risk for sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Page (musician)</span> Australian musician, singer and actor (born 1972)

Gregory John Page, is an Australian singer, musician and actor. He is best known as the original lead singer and a founding member of the children's band the Wiggles from 1991 to 2006 and then again in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ventricular tachycardia</span> Medical condition of the heart

Ventricular tachycardia is a cardiovascular disorder in which fast heart rate occurs in the ventricles of the heart. Although a few seconds of VT may not result in permanent problems, longer periods are dangerous; and multiple episodes over a short period of time are referred to as an electrical storm. Short periods may occur without symptoms, or present with lightheadedness, palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, and decreased level of consciousness. Ventricular tachycardia may lead to coma and persistent vegetative state due to lack of blood and oxygen to the brain. Ventricular tachycardia may result in ventricular fibrillation (VF) and turn into cardiac arrest. This conversion of the VT into VF is called the degeneration of the VT. It is found initially in about 7% of people in cardiac arrest.

The Seattle & King County Emergency Medical Services System is a fire-based two-tier response system providing prehospital basic and advanced life support services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome</span> Medical condition

Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) is a rare type of long QT syndrome associated with severe, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Those with JLNS are at risk of abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias, which can lead to fainting, seizures, or sudden death. JLNS, like other forms of long QT syndrome, causes the cardiac muscle to take longer than usual to recharge between beats. It is caused by genetic variants responsible for producing ion channels that carry transport potassium out of cells. The condition is usually diagnosed using an electrocardiogram, but genetic testing can also be used. Treatment includes lifestyle measures, beta blockers, and implantation of a defibrillator in some cases. It was first described by Anton Jervell and Fred Lange-Nielsen in 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T wave alternans</span>

T wave alternans (TWA) is a periodic beat-to-beat variation in the amplitude or shape of the T wave in an electrocardiogram TWA was first described in 1908. At that time, only large variations could be detected. Those large TWAs were associated with increased susceptibility to lethal ventricular tachycardias.

The chain of survival refers to a series of actions that, properly executed, reduce the mortality associated with sudden cardiac arrest. Like any chain, the chain of survival is only as strong as its weakest link. The six interdependent links in the chain of survival are early recognition of sudden cardiac arrest and access to emergency medical care, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced cardiac life support, and physical and emotional recovery. The first three links in the chain can be performed by lay bystanders, while the second three links are designated to medical professionals. Currently, between 70 and 90% of cardiac arrest patients die before they reach the hospital. However, a cardiac arrest does not have to be lethal if bystanders can take the right steps immediately.

Pediatric advanced life support (PALS) is a course offered by the American Heart Association (AHA) for health care providers who take care of children and infants in the emergency room, critical care and intensive care units in the hospital, and out of hospital. The course teaches healthcare providers how to assess injured and sick children and recognize and treat respiratory distress/failure, shock, cardiac arrest, and arrhythmias.

Michaela J. Gagne was crowned Miss Massachusetts in June 2006. She is a resident of Fall River, Massachusetts. She received her BFA in art with a minor in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 2006, she completed her master's degree in Mental Health Counselling and Art Therapy from Lesley University.

Alois A. Langer is an American biomedical engineer best known as one of the co-inventors of the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD).

A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is a non-invasive, external device for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It allows physicians time to assess their patient's arrhythmic risk and see if their ejection fraction improves before determining the next steps in patient care. It is a leased device. A summary of the device, its technology and indications was published in 2017 and reviewed by the EHRA Scientific Documents Committee.

Boxer cardiomyopathy is a disease of the myocardium primarily affecting Boxer dogs. It is characterized by the development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias, resulting in syncope and sudden cardiac death. Myocardial failure and congestive heart failure are uncommon manifestations of the disease.

Cameron Health was a medical device developer based in San Clemente, California, USA. Cameron Health had its European office, Cameron Health BV, in Arnhem, The Netherlands. The privately held company's focus was on a new generation of minimally invasive implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) which they called a Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator (S-ICD). Cameron Health's approach avoided implanting transvenous leads into the heart, which had been the usual procedure for cardiac devices. Instead, the Cameron ICD was entirely implanted outside the thoracic wall.

Iqbal Mahmoud Al Assad is a physician pursuing a pediatric cardiology fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital. She was recognized as one of the youngest doctors in the world when she completed her medical training at age 20. Her name is also seen as Iqbal El-Assaad in some sources.

References

  1. "Tracey Conway | Topo Swope Talent Agency".
  2. 1 2 3 4 "No More Boring Meetings | Tracey Conway - No More Boring Meetings". www.nomoreboringmeetings.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-16.
  3. 1 2 3 "Women in Philanthropy: Ordeal Led Actress Tracey Conway to Focus on Heart, CPR". Archived from the original on 2021-07-23.
  4. 1 2 3 "Tracey Conway".
  5. "Tracey Conway: Dropping Dead on 'Almost Live'". kuow.org. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Actress, sudden cardiac arrest survivor Tracey Conway brings laughs, life lessons to Rose Garden Center".
  7. "Comedian and heart attack survivor Tracey Conway speak at Red Dress event".
  8. 1 2 3 "Tracey Conway – Almost Live comedian – emcee, inspirational keynoter | Tracey Conway". seattlebookings.com. Archived from the original on 2009-08-19.