These patients' hearts stopped a dozen times a day. An innovative procedure has transformed their lives.

A close up of a woman's lower half, her body laying on a wooden floor. She wears white sandals.

For Sarah Hall, every mealtime was dangerous.

She has a rare condition called cardioinhibitory syncope, which causes overactive nerve signals to tell the heart to stop beating in response to subconscious bodily processes, such as swallowing. Swallowing food caused Hall's heart to stop beating up to 12 times a day, often making her faint.