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Silent Heart Attack Survivor Thanks Lifesaving Crew
28 Feb
Summary
- A woman survived a heart attack due to subtle symptoms that were nearly missed.
- Paramedics' quick actions and 'clinician's gut' led to early hospital intervention.
- Early intervention saved 97% of her heart muscle after a severe attack.
A Surrey woman, Janice Nuttall, has credited an ambulance crew with saving her life after she suffered a heart attack with nearly undetectable symptoms. Janice initially contacted NHS 111 due to chest pain and breathlessness, not recognizing it as a heart attack because her symptoms were subtle. She believed typical heart attack sufferers would exhibit more dramatic signs.
Paramedic Imogen Baldock noted that women's heart attack symptoms can be less obvious and easier to overlook. Trusting her intuition, Baldock and her colleague Gabor Lajos provided aid and transported Janice to St. George's Hospital. There, a specialized team performed an emergency procedure, fitting a stent and balloon.
Doctors confirmed Janice had a severe heart attack, but thanks to the swift intervention, only 3% of her heart muscle was damaged. Janice expressed profound gratitude, stating she wouldn't have been present to celebrate her diamond wedding anniversary without the paramedics' decisive actions.
