A Surrey woman who was unaware she was having a heart attack has thanked a SECAmb ambulance crew for their quick response and care, saying they saved her life.
Last December, Janice Nuttall from Great Bookham phoned 111 for advice after suffering some chest pain and feeling short of breath.
“It wasn’t a great pain, I have to say,” said Janice as, along with her husband Brian, she was reunited with Associate Ambulance Practitioner Gabor Lajos and Paramedic Imogen Baldock at Banstead ambulance station. “I thought if it was a heart attack I would be clutching my chest and rolling around on the floor.”
However, cardiac conditions can present differently according to gender, an important message as part of National Heart Month.
“For us ladies, we can have much subtler signs of a heart attack,” said Imogen. “Because it’s not so obvious, it can be easier to miss.”
The 111 operator sent an emergency ambulance, crewed by Gabor and Imogen, so Janice could be assessed. An ECG, a standard check for heart health, was administered and initially showed nothing irregular. Some of Janice’s symptoms could have been a result of the medication she was taking, but the SECAmb team weren’t convinced.
“Chalk it up to clinician’s gut. I just had a feeling that something wasn’t quite right,” said Imogen.
Another ECG was undertaken, which did show some changes and a cardiac specialist was consulted. On their advice Janice was rushed to Epsom Hospital, where her blood troponin levels – a critical marker for detecting heart muscle damage – were recorded as being very high.
“The actions of this amazing paramedic probably saved my wife’s life, as from Epsom she was ‘blue lighted’ to St George’s Hospital where a team of six people were waiting for her and she had a stent and a balloon fitted at 1.30am in the morning,” said Brian.
The consultant at St George’s confirmed Janice had suffered a severe heart attack, but had only incurred 3% damage to the heart muscle thanks to the early intervention – a heart attack will often inflict at least 10-15% damage.
Janice is convinced the actions of the SECAmb team meant herself and Brian were able to celebrate their Diamond Wedding anniversary in February.
“I am in no doubt they saved my life. Without them, I don’t think I would have been here to have the anniversary,” she said. “I will never be able to thank them enough. It was my lucky day when they arrived.”
Imogen said: “A successful outcome such as this takes a team effort from all aspects of the health service, but it has been a real pleasure to see Janice in better circumstances and to know we contributed to such a successful outcome.”
“Yes, thank you for taking the time to get in touch, we really appreciate it,” added Gabor. “It’s lovely to be able to see you both again, and know that you’re doing well.”