Heart Attack

A 37-year-old Costa Mesa man died of a heart attack while visiting a business Tuesday evening, police said. Police responded to a report of an unconscious person in the 400 block of 17th Street about 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, said Costa Mesa police Sgt. Phil Myers. No identity of the man or further information on the death was available. — Lauren Williams Twitter: @ lawilliams30

A Laguna Niguel man died Thursday after the vehicle he was driving struck a pole in a parking lot in Costa Mesa, authorities said. Steven Takei, 56, appeared to have a heart attack while behind the wheel in the 24 Hour Fitness parking lot in the 500 block of Anton Boulevard, according to Costa Mesa police Lt. Rob Sharpnack. Takei was found unresponsive in his vehicle, and witnesses reported seeing the vehicle slowly crash into the pole, according to the county coroner's office.

Judy Voltmer quit her “glamorous” smoking habit 13 years ago, adopted a healthy lifestyle that included daily exercise, and took her high cholesterol medication religiously. When a doctor discovered elevated cholesterol levels and possible blockage in some arteries during routine blood work, Voltmer was referred to a cardiologist who suggested a treadmill stress test to determine her heart’s health. Voltmer wasn’t worried about running on a treadmill.

Mo Conter hoped she would never have to use the defibrillator that the Palisades Tennis Club recently bought, but nine days after being trained on the machine, she was delivering electric shocks to a heart attack victim. With the help of two club members who performed chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, Conter, the club's activities director, saved longtime member Bill Rosener's life. "I can't believe the timing of what happened," said General Manager Terri DeLong, who facilitated the purchase of the machine and the requisite training.

Corona del Mar High School will host a fundraiser in memory of former student Kevin Hoffman 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 1. Participants will join the Newport Fire Department, lifeguards, CPR instructor Denise Weiland, nurse Annette Dunn, pediatrician Patricia Riba and pediatric cardiologist Rick Swensson to learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, risk factors, hydration, nutrition, exercise, supplements and the basics of CPR. Admission is...

On Monday, a memorial service was held for Newport Beach Training Division Chief Randy Scheerer, who died of a heart attack at the age of 53. More than 1,250 people attended the service to honor Scheerer, but the faces of Newport Beach Fire Chief Tim Riley and Scheerer's wife, Marilyn, told the story of his passing. They were wearing expressions we have shown our readers numerous times in the past: people bearing the burden of losing someone loved. No matter how many times we run photos of people grieving, it still strikes a cord in the reporters and photo staff.

Bill Rosener, of Newport Beach, is in stable condition after suffering a heart attack at Palisades Tennis Club on Wednesday afternoon. Rosener, 75, was playing in a match on center court at Palisades at about 12:30 p.m. when he collapsed, Palisades owner Ken Stuart said. Palisades activities director Mo Conter went to get a defibrillator, which she used on Rosener. After the paramedics came and took Rosener to Hoag Memorial Hospital, it was determined that he had two arteries that were 100% blocked, Stuart said.

COSTA MESA - One of Estancia High's great Eagles, Patricia Ann Camp, the mother of Mike, Tony and Susan Camp, passed away on Friday from a heart attack associated with chemotherapy for cancer. She was 65. A Costa Mesa resident since 1968, she was extremely active with Estancia High athletics in the '70s and early '80s. She is survived by her brother, Andrew, who resides in Boise, Idaho, as well as her three children, and six grandchildren, Andrew and Allison, Keely and Kyla and Ryan and Samantha.

ELDON J. DVORAK Eldon J. Dvorak, 80, of Fountain Valley, died of a heart attack suffered at his home on September 22. Dvorak taught economics at California State University, Long Beach, from 1962 to 1991. He is survived by former wife, Veronica Gage Dvorak; son, James Dvorak; daughter, Kathleen Dvorak Ashelford; nephews, Edward Peppel and William Peppel; and longtime companion, Cathy Wernke. A memorial celebration will be held at a time to be announced. Condolences may be sent to: The Dvorak Family, 1711 Perkins Lane, Redondo Beach, California, 90278.

A Laguna Niguel man died Thursday after the vehicle he was driving struck a pole in a parking lot in Costa Mesa, authorities said. Steven Takei, 56, appeared to have a heart attack while behind the wheel in the 24 Hour Fitness parking lot in the 500 block of Anton Boulevard, according to Costa Mesa police Lt. Rob Sharpnack. Takei was found unresponsive in his vehicle, and witnesses reported seeing the vehicle slowly crash into the pole, according to the county coroner's office.

A 37-year-old Costa Mesa man died of a heart attack while visiting a business Tuesday evening, police said. Police responded to a report of an unconscious person in the 400 block of 17th Street about 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, said Costa Mesa police Sgt. Phil Myers. No identity of the man or further information on the death was available. — Lauren Williams Twitter: @ lawilliams30

ELDON J. DVORAK Eldon J. Dvorak, 80, of Fountain Valley, died of a heart attack suffered at his home on September 22. Dvorak taught economics at California State University, Long Beach, from 1962 to 1991. He is survived by former wife, Veronica Gage Dvorak; son, James Dvorak; daughter, Kathleen Dvorak Ashelford; nephews, Edward Peppel and William Peppel; and longtime companion, Cathy Wernke. A memorial celebration will be held at a time to be announced. Condolences may be sent to: The Dvorak Family, 1711 Perkins Lane, Redondo Beach, California, 90278.

Like thousands of young Americans, Irvine resident Samir Jaka never thought that a heart attack could happen to him. When the 30-year-old collapsed during an afternoon basketball game with friends in April 2010 at Lemongrass Park in Irvine, the pain squeezing his chest was nothing like he had ever felt before. "I had blurred vision, trouble, my hands and feet were tingling and going numb," Jaka said. "I kinda figured something was going on that was not right. " He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors told him that he had suffered a heart attack.

John Andrew Downer Downer, John A. (Johnny) February 15th, 1972 - December 4th, 2009 Johnny Downer, 37, of Sebastopol CA, died suddenly on Friday December 4th from a heart attack while in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Johnny was born in Newport Beach, California to Carol Esonis and John Downer on Tuesday, February 15th, 1972. He is survived by his mother, father, brother Terry, sister Julie, nephews Jeffrey and Jake and loving girlfriend Ashley. Johnny was the baby. Growing up in Newport was fun for him. Johnny was a mellow kid, liked a good prank every now and then and always smiled.

When 57-year-old Thomas Kiser’s wife died in his arms of a heart attack just outside of their condominium on the day after Christmas three years ago, he was stunned. They had been married for 33 years and she was only 52. Ever since then, Kiser has dyed his hair red in her memory, but also as a conversation starter. Friday morning he had it done for the third time at Paul Mitchell the School in Costa Mesa, along with about 60 others. Kiser’s wife could have quit smoking or paid more attention to her diet, he said, but neither of them knew how dangerous and prevalent heart disease was in women or how to identify the signs.

Corona del Mar High School will host a fundraiser in memory of former student Kevin Hoffman 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 1. Participants will join the Newport Fire Department, lifeguards, CPR instructor Denise Weiland, nurse Annette Dunn, pediatrician Patricia Riba and pediatric cardiologist Rick Swensson to learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, risk factors, hydration, nutrition, exercise, supplements and the basics of CPR. Admission is...

While local police officers and firefighters remained on duty Monday, many said the unexpected cool weather offered them a brief respite and a chance to enjoy the Labor Day holiday while in uniform. “Actually it wasn’t too bad for a holiday weekend,” said Newport Beach Sgt. Jeff Brouwer. “The weather kind of slowed things down for us a little.” Both Costa Mesa and Newport Beach authorities Monday said it was a routine weekend, as far as holidays go, with no major incidents to report.

A man Newport Beach lifeguards pulled from the water unconscious and not breathing Monday did not drown, but rather suffered a fatal heart attack, the county coroner said Wednesday. For the past two days, lifeguards had been wondering whether they had been too late and let a man drown in their water, officials said. While there is nothing good about Charles Jasmine, 52, dying in their water, lifeguards have peace of mind knowing they did everything they could to save him, Capt.

Judy Voltmer quit her “glamorous” smoking habit 13 years ago, adopted a healthy lifestyle that included daily exercise, and took her high cholesterol medication religiously. When a doctor discovered elevated cholesterol levels and possible blockage in some arteries during routine blood work, Voltmer was referred to a cardiologist who suggested a treadmill stress test to determine her heart’s health. Voltmer wasn’t worried about running on a treadmill.