Karen Smith-Gattuso has had no major health concerns and has never been in an ambulance or hospital as a patient during her 69-year old life. She also never takes medication. It was particularly unusual for her to feel unwell and alarming to have a “terrible headache” that would not go away. She dialed 9-1-1.

Karen had the wherewithal to text her cat sitter and unlock her front door for emergency medical services before laying down on her bed — the last thing she remembers before waking up in the intensive care unit (ICU).