24-Year-Old Who 'Woke Up With Chest Pain' Dies After COVID-19 Triggers Several Heart Attacks

KEY POINTS

Doctors were initially clueless about what caused heart attacks
The family waited for days for his brain activity to return
It is unclear whether he was vaccinated or not

A 24-year-old man from Ohio died of COVID-19 complications just days after he "woke up with a chest pain."

Ikeem Hill, of Ashtabula, died at Cleveland Clinic after the virus damaged his brain and heart. His sister, Tanayja Hill, said the man was diagnosed with COVID-19 but "it just happened so quickly," reported 19 News. It is unclear whether Ikeem was vaccinated or not.

Ikeem was rushed to Cleveland Clinic after he passed out due to chest pain. Doctors said he suffered several heart attacks but they were initially clueless about what caused it.

He was then diagnosed with COVID-19 and tests proved he had myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). This reduces the heart's ability to pump and causes rapid or irregular heart rhythms.

Myocarditis can lead to heart failure, a heart attack, stroke and even sudden cardiac arrest, according to Mayo Clinic. Though the connection between COVID-19 and myocarditis has not been identified, several studies suggest the virus can cause it.

Ikeem was put on life support. Doctors monitored his heart and brain as his family waited for "brain activity to come back."

However, four days later, the Hill family received the heartbreaking news that even if Ikeem did survive, he may not be the man he was before. "But I didn't care, I just wanted my brother back," Tanayja told the news outlet. However, Ikeem's parents finally decided to turn off the life support.

He died on Jan. 14. His family describes him as a "musician" who wrote and composed songs and enjoyed sharing his talents with others.

Now, the family wants others to know how dangerous COVID-19 can be. "I knew COVID was an issue, but I didn't think it was anything serious until it happened to my brother. Take precautions with this COVID stuff because you never know. You could be fine one day, and then gone the next," Tanayja said.

Recently, a New Mexico man ended up spending 526 days in the hospital after COVID-19 left him without "energy or the breath to get out of his car." Donnell Hunter, from Albuquerque, was first admitted to the hospital in September 2020 after testing positive for the virus. He spent 17 months in over nine hospitals.