Cardiac Companion, Neighbor

On May 14, 2011, Nancy Capelle, a wife and mother of two young daughters, clinically

died at the age of 40. She suffered a heart attack and cardiac arrest. Thanks to the

quick actions of a paramedic, she is alive today to tell her harrowing story of life and

death.

As a result of her experience, Nancy decided to radically change the focus of her

professional life from what she thought others expected her to be to what she felt was

her calling in life. Nancy resigned from her corporate job and became a Connecticut

State Certified Emergency Medicine Technician and is now a volunteer EMT with the

Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps. She is also an American Heart Association

Certified BLS Instructor. She is a recipient of a Certificate of Recognition from

Connecticut State Representative John Hetherington for her work in the HEARTSafe

designation for the town of Wilton, where she lives. Just five months after her cardiac

arrest, Nancy was a “Red Cap” Team Leader for the American Heart Association’s

Heart Walk as well as a spokesperson. She is a trainer in Hands Only CPR, as part of

the Hands for Life project and has certified individuals ranging from Norwalk Police

Department officers to students and teachers at schools throughout the lower Fairfield

County area. Nancy is also the Founder and Owner of Cardiac Companion, LLC,

through which she conducts private CPR instruction.

Nancy’s story has been featured in broadcast, print and online news, and speaking

engagements have included Deloitte & Touche, LLP, the American Heart Association

Heart Walk and Hands for Life Stamford & New Canaan. Nancy has also done Public

Service Announcements for Norwalk Hospital’s Minute on Health and the American

Heart Association’s Heart Walk broadcasted on 95.5 The Fox.

Nancy now challenges others to take action in their own lives. It shouldn’t take death to

finally live the life you were meant to live.

Prior to her new life path, Nancy worked for more than a decade at premier

pharmaceutical and biotech companies as well as law firms as a Medical Compliance

Director and Analyst, and as a Litigation Paralegal.

Nancy holds a B.A. in Psychology (Cum Laude) from Boston University.

She lives in Wilton, CT, with her family.