'Biggest Loser' host Bob Harper on his 'widow-maker' heart attack: 'I was dead'

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Bob Harper has a heart attack

Fox411 Breaktime: 'Biggest Loser' host Bob Harper reveals he had a heart attack

Bob Harper opened up about the massive heart attack that nearly killed him during an appearance on the “Today” show on Tuesday.

“I had what they call a ‘widow-maker,’” explained the 51-year-old.

On Sunday, February 12th, Harper had just finished a workout session at the gym with friends when he suddenly stopped breathing. Two doctors that were in the facility stepped in and gave Harper CPR.

BOB HARPER HAS A HEART ATTACK

“I was in full cardiac arrest,” he explained. “My heart stopped. Not to be dramatic, but I was dead. I was on the ground dead… It was a six percent survival rate, and the fact that there were doctors in the gym when I had the heart attack saved my life.”

Harper was then administered a defibrillator, which gives an electric current to the heart, before paramedics arrived. He described being “confused” when he found himself in a hospital bed.

“I was like Dory from ‘Finding Nemo’ because I had this short-term memory, so I was reliving the heart attack over and over again,” he said. “I was like, ‘Wait, why am I here? What happened to me?’ And 10 minutes later I was asking the same thing and getting super emotional. It was hugely shocking for me. I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve learned a lot about the fact that genetics played a part in this. It’s so important to know your health.”

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While Harper did experienced “dizzy spells” before the incident, he also admitted to ignoring the warning sign.

“Maybe I should’ve really taken that more seriously,” added Harper. “It’s been a huge wake-up call for me.”

Harper is currently gearing up for his cardiac rehabilitation.