Just 37 days after taking the helm of United Airlines, during a turbulent time for the storied company, Oscar Munoz suddenly found his life in jeopardy while returning from an early morning training session. Looking back, Oscar, now retired as United Airlines’ CEO and executive chairman, lived an active lifestyle as a marathon runner and triathlete and maintained a strict vegan diet, but it never occurred to him that he was suffering from heart disease. I couldn’t think of it.
One October morning, his knee gave way. He remembers thinking, “That was weird,” but in a recent conversation with a doctor friend of his, he said, “Don’t ignore strange feelings and call 911 right away.” I remembered what he said. Munoz did just that, barely remembering how he fumbled to unlock the front door for paramedics and then fell, breaking his nose.
He suffered a severe heart attack and was in a coma for a week in the hospital. He received an LVAD, a left ventricular assist device, to keep his heart beating and was placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant. For Munoz, his heart problems were quite surprising considering his dedication to healthy eating and fitness. Unfortunately for Muñoz, his risk for heart disease was in his genes. “This is why symptoms are so important,” Munoz says. “It’s genetic for a lot of people, and it was for me too.”
A few months later, in January 2016, coincidentally on Muñoz’s birthday, she received word that a donor heart had been found, and later that month she underwent a successful heart transplant. “I was essentially given the gift of life,” Munoz said. His recovery was uneventful and he returned to work in March.
But we recognize that not everyone is equally fortunate, especially those from underserved communities that face social and economic barriers to health equity. he knows. “We are all saved, but unfortunately there are many who are not saved,” Muñoz said.
His experience with heart disease motivated him to share his own story about heart disease risk factors and heart attack symptoms, with a strategic focus on helping the American Heart Association address health equity. We are contributing to raising awareness of Mr. Munoz is a major supporter of his AHA Social Impact Fund in Chicago. The Fund funds a range of social enterprises that help remove systemic barriers that affect access to affordable housing, quality education, nutritious food, and healthcare. Masu. Munoz is steadfastly committed to helping AHA achieve optimal, healthier living for everyone.
In addition to being an annual member of the Col Vitae Association’s Heart & Torch Circle, Ms. Muñoz was recently recognized as a Cornerstone Donor and is the AHA’s second annual member for the organization’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2024.・Supports the Century Campaign.
