Sheppard, known for playing Crowley on “Supernatural,” said he feels lucky to have survived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As \u201cSupernatural\u201d star Mark Sheppard prepared to leave his house for an appointment, he crumpled to his kitchen floor. He experienced \u201csix massive heart attacks\u201d because of a completely blocked left anterior descending (LAD) artery, he shared on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSix massive heart attacks later, and being brought back from dead 4 times I apparently had a 100% blockage in my LAD,\u201d he wrote in a post he shared over the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Widowmaker,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A widowmaker heart attack occurs when a person experiences a complete blockage of the LAD, which transports almost half the body\u2019s blood to the heart, according to New-York Presbyterian<\/a>. The condition is \u201cimmediately life-threatening,\u201d the Cleveland Clinic<\/a> notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sheppard shared that he was lucky to be alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf not for my wife, the @losangelesfiredepartment at mullholland and the incredible staff at @providencecalifornia St. Joseph\u2019s \u2014 I wouldn\u2019t be writing this,\u201d he wrote. \u201cMy chances of survival were virtually nil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of a widowmaker heart attack include an upset stomach, chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fatigue, dizziness and pain in the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If people experience these symptoms, they should call 911 immediately. That\u2019s because the longer it takes to open the blockage, the greater the risk of damage to the heart, Dr. Laxmi Mehta, director of preventative cardiology and women\u2019s cardiovascular health at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, previously told TODAY.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Widowmaker heart attacks can be caused by cholesterol that builds up in the LAD, leading to a blockage, or a blood clot that blocks the LAD, according to the Cleveland Clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doctors encourage patients to see their provider regularly to understand their risk of heart disease as it remains a persistent health problem for many Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heart disease is “the number one killer of men and women,\u201d Mehta said. \u201cWe\u2019re all at risk. So, we should be concerned about it in the prevention, which starts early.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fans and co-stars offered their well wishes to the actor, known for playing Crowley on The CW\u2019s \u201cSupernatural.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou don\u2019t need to do the most and biggest every time! 6 heart attacks? 2 or 3 would have been impressive enough,\u201d Misha Collins, \u201cSupernatural\u201d co-star, commented on the post. \u201cYou\u2019ve impressed us enough, okay. Now stop with this heal up and get back on the road with us. Love you, pal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actor John Barrowman also shared his support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf there is anything you need or I can do just let me know,\u201d the former \u201cDoctor Who\u201d actor said. \u201cI am just a small journey away. Please do all they tell you to make yourself health and get well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sheppard said he\u2019s on the mend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI feel great,\u201d he wrote. \u201cHumbled once more. Home tomorrow!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n