Preparing to run this year’s Boston Marathon with Team BMC feels like a full circle moment for Nick O’Hara. Five years ago, Nick had a procedure at Boston Medical Center to treat a debilitating heart condition. The experience inspired him to give back to the hospital that changed his life.
When Nick set out for a routine run around his South Boston neighborhood in 2020, he didn’t intend to end up at BMC. As he was finishing a familiar two-mile route, Nick felt his heart rate skyrocket. Something wasn’t right.
“I got super lightheaded,” says Nick. “I was literally on all fours in the road a hundred yards from my apartment, and with all my strength I could not stand up. I just had to lay in the middle of the road for a few minutes until it passed.”
After a call to his doctor, Nick was referred to Boston Medical Center. During a stress test, Nick’s heart again went into overdrive. He was taken to the emergency room where he learned he had supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a heart rhythm disorder that causes a fast or erratic heartbeat. Nick was scheduled for surgery the next day.
“I thought there was a chance that I could die. I was 24 at the time, and it was a lot to handle,” says Nick. “The doctors at BMC were unbelievable in calming me down and reassuring me that I was in good hands.”
Doctors cauterized the area of Nick’s heart that was triggering the SVT. After a couple of nights in the hospital for observation, Nick returned home. After one year without SVT episodes, Nick was officially considered cured.
Feeling stronger than ever, Nick was inspired to lean into endurance races and test his new limits. In addition to his upcoming marathon with Team BMC, Nick also trains as a triathlete. He’ll compete in a half-Ironman this summer.
“It’s hard not to get emotional when I think about it,” says Nick. “Five years ago I was having heart surgery at BMC, and I couldn’t run more than a mile without almost passing out. Running 26.2 miles to support all the great work BMC does is something I would have never even dreamed of when I was getting wheeled into the operating room.”
Nick is part of an 84-member team that’s raising funds for BMC’s efforts to close race-based health inequities and provide innovative services for patients and their families. These flexible funds are critical, allowing BMC to remain nimble and responsive in delivering lifesaving care.
“I really feel like BMC gave me my future back. I can’t imagine not being able to do the things that I do now,” says Nick. “I’m glad to be able to support the great work they do.”
