Dalton Lovell was watching his wife and daughter practice martial arts at an Arlington gym when he suddenly began feeling dizzy.

He tried to get his wife's attention, but something was wrong.

Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are WATCH HERE WATCH HERE

 I do remember feeling like a little dizzy, and like, oh, I need to get Becca. And that's really the last thing that I remember,  Lovell recalled.

Seconds later, the 35-year-old father went into sudden cardiac arrest.


Fortunately, several people at the gym knew CPR and immediately jumped into action.

For approximately 10 minutes, bystanders took turns performing chest compressions until emergency responders arrived.

Among those helping was Lisa Britt, director of the emergency department at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, who happened to be at the gym.

 I fully believe that immediate bystander CPR, in addition to just the higher power being with Dalton, helped to save his life,  Britt said.

Lovell was rushed to Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, where a cardiac team was waiting to treat him, but his medical history revealed something unusual.

Years earlier, Lovell had been diagnosed with a condition known as broken heart syndrome. Despite its name, broken heart syndrome isn't necessarily caused by heartbreak.

The condition, medically known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, occurs when part of the heart muscle suddenly weakens, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively.

According to the American Heart Association, the condition is believed to be linked to a surge of stress hormones following an intense emotional or physical event.

The death of a loved one, a breakup or a frightening experience can trigger it, but so can serious illness, surgery or even an unexpectedly happy event. Symptoms often resemble a heart attack, including chest pain and shortness of breath.

However, unlike a typical heart attack caused by a blocked artery, broken heart syndrome involves a temporary change in how the heart muscle functions.

Most patients 
#nbcdfw   #crimewatchdallas