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Woman Revived After 17 Minutes Without Pulse
1 Mar
Summary
- Victoria Thomas experienced cardiac arrest and was revived after 17 minutes.
- She reported out-of-body sensations while paramedics worked to save her.
- Diagnosed with Danon disease, she received a heart transplant and now thrives.

Victoria Thomas, 41, from Gloucester, experienced a life-threatening event at age 35 when she collapsed at a gym due to cardiac arrest. Paramedics performed CPR for an extended 17 minutes before her heart's pulse was restored. During this critical period, Thomas reported a near-death experience, feeling as though she was floating above her body near the gym's ceiling and observing the resuscitation efforts around her.
Initially, surgeons fitted her with a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to manage potential irregular heart rhythms, as she had no prior family history of heart conditions. However, pregnancy in 2021 exacerbated her condition, leading to the diagnosis of Danon disease, a rare genetic disorder. This diagnosis prompted an urgent heart transplant, which she received in April 2023 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
Discharged in May 2023, Thomas has made a remarkable recovery. She now engages in regular physical activity, playing netball four times weekly, and is setting her sights on competing in basketball or volleyball at the upcoming World Transplant Games in Germany, showcasing a vibrant new chapter in her life.



