Cardiac Arrest I am 66 : I went into... - British Heart Fou...

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Cardiac Arrest I am 66

Hazeg profile image
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I went into cardiac arrest 5 times after burning pain I had in middle of my chest for 9 months had c.f. scan ECG rest test stress test MRI scan blood tests nearly every week chest x ray was in hospital for 8 days I was put in coma for 24 hrs and had 9 drips for all different things I don't remember none of this as when my husband called ambulance and my daughter who lives down the road I must have passed out and woke up in hospital on the Monday at 12 midday in Royal Free Hospital Hampstead London. The Drs done loads of tests and have told my husband and myself they think the cause was my Potassium and Magnesium was very low so was given intravenous drip of Potassium for 4 hrs and antibiotics for chest infection too. But am now home have been for last 3 weeks and taking it easy but I am still worried in case it happens again I was wondering if anybody else or anyone knows anyone who has been through this too I would be most grateful if you could give me any advice please.

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Hazeg
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Lezzers profile image
Lezzers

Hi, there is a Facebook group called sudden Cardiac Arrest UK who may be able to give advice. The name says it all really!! Its a group for people, or their families, who've suffered cardiac arrest for whatever reason & as its a closed group only members can see your questions. I hope you find the answers you're looking for.

sturon profile image
sturon

Hi Hazeg.

In December of last year my partner had two cardiac arrests at home. He is 56. I was with him and after CPR and a rapid response from the ambulance service he survived. He was diagnosed with a condition called long QT syndrome. This causes the heart to have a slow recovery after each beat. Like you low potassium can lead to this condition causing SCA. He spent 3 weeks in hospital and had all the usual battery of investigations. In the end he had an implanted defibrillator called a 'subcutaneous impanated cardioverter defibrillator' (S-ICD). Should he have an episode again caused by supra-ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation this devise will deliver a shock to his heart. The devise continuously monitors his heart rhythm and he downloads the information over the internet each week to the cardiology centre. Also he has some food each day which is high in potassium to make sure his potassium levels are kept normal.

We are now nearly a year on and life is slowly getting back to 'normal'. Holiday insurance has been tricky and expensive and airport security with a defibrillator in is an experience. Other than him being unable to drive, as the DVLA are so slow to give a decision we are back into our routine.

You are not alone in being a survivor of a SCA and we hope knowing there are others who share your experience is of some help. If you need any other information or have any questions drop us a message.

Our best wishes Ron.

So, you had absolutely no abnormality in your Cardiac-related test results?

Hazeg profile image
Hazeg

No nothing when I went back for results of c.t scan I was told it was clear and I ask what the burning pain was in middle of my chest and consultant couldn't tell me at Northwick park hospital she said take gaviscon and discharged me.

Hazeg profile image
Hazeg in reply toHazeg

I now have angina, copd, and emthasemia

jimmyq profile image
jimmyq

Food sources of Potassium and Magnezium:

Whole Wheat. Most whole grains are a good source of magnesium, but whole wheat flour wins with 160 mg per cup. ...

Spinach. ...

Quinoa. ...

Almonds, Cashews, and Peanuts. ...

Dark Chocolate. ...

Black Beans. ...

Edamame. ...

Avocado.

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