On April 11, 2021, Former Everett Public Schools Athletic Director, Robert C. Polk, died from a heart attack. The death certificate cites Hypertensive and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease as the cause of death. The coroner used “heart attack” because we understand the term better.
According to the American Heart Association and the Washington State Health Department, Robert had a list of heart attack signs on the day he died. He was a healthy 54 year old with no underlying conditions. His cholesterol numbers were high enough to keep monitoring but nothing to address or adjust. His numbers had been consistent for 25 years. He had been diagnosed with sleep apnea, which can lead to heart issues, about a year before he died and had been using a Cpap machine for 6 months or so.
Robert's wife, Tara Polk, shared their story with friends, family, and anyone who would listen, and realized that we do not understand the signs or the various health issues that are connected to our hearts. When we educate ourselves, we are equipped to make healthy choices and maintain our quality of life.
"The day Robert died, we were living an ordinary Sunday, working in the yard and enjoying the final day before our spring break ended and we returned to the classroom and sports fields. Robert dug a hole for a new lilac bush and we joked about all the tree roots in the yard. He needed a pick ax to dig into the ground. Afterwards, he felt pain in between his shoulder blades and his neck. I have learned that upper back pain can be a sign of a heart attack. He also had trouble catching his breath and we commiserated over how out of shape we were. He kept coughing and trying to catch his breath. He drank some water and headed for the shower. I have learned that shortness of breath can be a sign of a heart attack. I heard him vomiting, which was really strange for him. I asked if he needed a cool rag and he declined and finished his shower. I have learned that nausea is a sign of a heart attack. When he finished with his shower he had an unrecognizable look in his eyes. He was really complaining about his upper back and shoulders hurting. He tried to lay down and relax but immediately got up and asked me to rub his shoulders. I put my hands on his shoulders and he rose up to his 6’5” height and collapsed on the floor. He left our home on a stretcher and everyone thought he was going to get a stent inserted. He was pronounced dead by the time he arrived at the hospital."
The Annual Healthy Heart Fair was started in 2023 to honor Robert with the mission of promoting a greater understanding of heart health for both men and women. In addition, giving people the ability to recognize heart attack signs early on to prevent more deaths.
