A Kent first aid instructor has spoken of the moment he realised he needed saving himself, after a hidden and life-threatening condition triggered a heart attack at home.
Michael, aged 41 from Ramsgate in Kent was with his partner and three-year-old twins at home when he began experiencing symptoms on the evening of 23 March 2026. He felt restless, with an aching jaw and teeth but believing it might pass, he took paracetamol and went to sleep.
In the early hours of the following morning, Michael recognised that something was wrong and made the decision to call an ambulance.
Dispatch Team Leader, Olivia and her team quickly coordinated a response, sending crewmates Tyler and Jessica to Michael’s home. On arrival, they carried out an ECG which confirmed he was having a heart attack.
A grade 1 backup was immediately requested, with Paramedic, Jo attending to provide advanced care. Jo supported Michael through a critical phase, carefully managing his unstable blood pressure on the way to hospital.
Michael was accepted at the PPCI cardiac unit at William Harvey Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to insert stents and treat a blocked artery caused by an arterial dissection which occurs when a tear develops in the inner lining of an artery, allowing blood to separate the layers of the vessel wall.
After spending four days in hospital, Michael returned home to his family to continue his recovery and just over a month later, he visited Thanet Make Ready Centre to reunite with the team who treated him – Olivia, Tyler, Jessica and Jo and to thank them in person.
Michael said: “Even though I teach first aid, the signs that I was having a heart attack really weren’t obvious. Thank you really isn’t enough.”
Paramedic Jo said: “Michael’s case highlights how important it is to trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right. Heart attacks can present in unexpected ways, even for people with medical knowledge. We’re incredibly pleased to see him doing so well and moments like this are why we do the job.”