A new heart and a new life for Michel

For Michel, it all began in the 1990s when his father, Jean, started to experience strange pains in his chest that turned out to be caused by dilated cardiomyopathy.  Despite treatment, the disease progressed silently until one morning in 2002. Jean was playing golf when he collapsed. The autopsy confirmed the diagnosis. 

Fast forward a few years and history was on the verge of repeating itself. Michel, 26, was wakeboarding on Lake Tremblant when he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He let go of the tow rope and ended up floating on his back, unable to move. He was rushed to the hospital where he learned that he would need to see a cardiologist in the following days. That’s when Dr. Denis Roy and the MHI team quickly took over his care. 

Dr. Roy confirmed what Michel suspected: he was suffering from the same condition his father had. The medical team quickly prescribed medication to stabilize his heart and prevent arrhythmia.  Shortly thereafter, the physicians fitted him with an implantable cardiac defibrillator, a small device designed to silently monitor Michel and act at the first sign of trouble. 

“My defibrillator saved my life many times,” said Michel. He knows how fortunate he was to benefit from care and cutting-edge technology. 

The exact cause of this heart condition remained a mystery for several years, despite the fact that some of his relatives also suffered from heart problems. Then in 2011, a lab at the MHI made a significant breakthrough: a genetic mutation was responsible for the dilated cardiomyopathy that runs in Michel’s family. 

This discovery led to several of Michel’s family members being screened for the condition. For the first time, there was an opportunity to anticipate and prevent the consequences of this mutation.  

After years of monitoring and resilience, Michel’s condition started to deteriorate in 2024. He even had a near-death experience in a parking lot in front of his children. His name was put on the heart transplant waiting list. But because his heart had become so weak, he spent 110 days at the MHI waiting for a new one. Despite everything, Michel remains positive about the experience.  

“The time I spent in the hospital was better than I thought it was going to be. That’s mainly due to the dedicated staff. They were attentive, friendly, and compassionate. They don’t treat the disease, they treat the patient.” 

On August 23, 2024, Michel’s life changed for the better. The heart transplant was a success, and he was able to go home less than two weeks later. 

Today, Michel embraces life once again. He enjoys going skiing, sailing, paddleboarding, climbing, and biking with his kids. “I’m really trying to make the most of my time. I cherish every moment I have with my children. I enjoy every minute in nature. I enjoy every minute of life.” 

His story is a perfect example of the Foundation’s mission: to transform every donation into tangible advances that push the boundaries of cardiovascular medicine and increase the lifespan of patients. Thanks to the generosity of donors and the devotion of the teams at the MHI, patients such as Michel can benefit from cutting-edge treatments, enjoy a better quality of life, and, most importantly, regain hope.