Texas Man Saves Wife's Life with CPR He Learned for Co-Workers

Eight months after taking a CPR course, John Lowe used his training to revive his wife Angie when her heart stopped.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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After Angie Lowe went into cardiac arrest in her sleep, her husband John immediately started CPR on her, having taken a CPR course just eight months earlier. Thanks to his quick action and the CPR training he had received, John was able to keep Angie alive until paramedics arrived, ultimately saving her life.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of learning CPR, as it can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. It also shows how CPR training, even if taken with the intention of helping coworkers, can end up saving the life of a loved one.

The details

Around 1 a.m., John awoke to find Angie unresponsive and her lips turning blue. He immediately called 911 and began performing chest compressions, remembering the CPR training he had received eight months earlier. John made sure to press at least 2 inches deep into Angie's chest, as he had been taught. Paramedics arrived about six minutes later and were able to restore Angie's pulse after several attempts with a defibrillator.

  • In November 2024, Angie's heart stopped while she was sleeping.
  • Eight months prior, John had taken a CPR course at work.
  • A few weeks before the incident, John had listened to a podcast episode about CPR that included an interview with someone who had saved their spouse's life.

The players

John Lowe

An IT expert for Baylor University in Waco, Texas, who took a CPR course eight months prior to saving his wife's life.

Angie Lowe

John's wife, who went into cardiac arrest in her sleep and was revived by John's CPR efforts.

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What they’re saying

“'OK,' John thought. 'She's going to be OK.'”

— John Lowe (heart.org)

“'I feel like I'm in the best shape right now,' Angie said. 'I'm grateful for that.'”

— Angie Lowe (heart.org)

What’s next

Angie received a pacemaker and defibrillator to protect her in case of another heart issue, and she has started a new exercise regimen to improve her health.

The takeaway

This story underscores the life-saving potential of learning CPR, even if it's not for a specific person in mind. It also highlights the importance of staying up-to-date on CPR techniques through refresher courses and resources like podcasts.