Cadet who suffered heart attack makes progress in recovery

The family of an Air Force Academy cadet who suffered a heart attack said she reached another milestone in her recovery Sunday.

Hailey Lane, 20, suffered a massive heart attack almost three weeks ago at a gym in her hometown in Virginia.

Hailey Lane’s twin sister, Savannah Lane, said Haileywas taken off a ventilator, which was helping her breathe.

“This is a huge day because she is officially off full life support,” said Savannah. “We are very proud of her progress and we never know what the next day is going to hold but we are very hopeful.”

Doctors said this is one of three critical steps that Hailey has now met. First, Hailey’s condition needed to stabilize enough for her to transfer hospitals. Next, doctors needed to remove life support for Hailey’s heart. Finally, doctors wanted to take her off a ventilator helping her breathe.

“I know that every day she is going to get stronger and more energetic and just have that support that she needs,” said Savannah.

People around the world have shown their support for Hailey through the hashtag #HaileyStrong on social media. A video posted online also shows 4,000 of her fellow cadets holding up signs cheering her on.

Doctors are trying to figure out what caused Hailey’s heart attack.

“The biggest step we need to figure out is what caused this. We still don’t know what happened, could it happen again? Is it genetic?” said Savannah.

Savannah said her family is grateful for the outpouring of support and they will stay positive about Hailey’s progress.

“She has been willing to sacrifice her life for her country and although this is not the battle we had pictured her fighting, we are proud the Air Force has been there to support her throughout it all,” said Savannah.