Associated Links

What is a coronary vasospasm with prolonged QT.

The American Heart Association

Two TV interviews featuring Brooke’s story.

* Virginia mom who suffered sudden cardiac arrest: ‘It can truly happen to anyone’

Brooke’s Acknowledgements

To my husband Rob, my real-life hero: thank you so much for fighting so hard to save me. Thank you for giving me a second chance to be with our beautiful daughter. I literally wouldn’t be here without you. I love you and am forever grateful for you.

To our families for all of their support, especially in that first year after my cardiac arrests- thank you! Thank you for sitting with me all day so I didn’t have to be alone, thanks for all the meals you made us, the financial help, and all the chores you helped us with. We could not have gotten by without you all.

Mom, Dad, and Courtney, I love you all endlessly. Thanks for being the best family a girl could ever wish for! Thanks for always being there for me when I need to vent or cry. You guys are simply the best and I couldn’t love you more!

To Chippenham Hospital CCU staff- thank you for saving my life and for the excellent care you took of me during my stay.

To the American Heart Association- thank you for welcoming me with open arms into your organization. Thanks for your love, support, and partnership. Thanks for giving me a platform to share my story and make an impact. You all are amazing and I am so grateful to be able to work with you!

And finally, to my daughter Reese- thank you for being you. You are the reason I keep going. You are the brightest spot in my life and the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am so lucky to be your mom, and I am so glad we got a second chance to grow together. I love you infinitely, sweet girl.

Disclaimer

The content provided in this episode, on the Push To Start website, or through any linked resources, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, cardiologist, or another qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have heard or read here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pushtostartpodcast.substack.com

Associated Links

What is a PEA cardiac arrest?

What is an ECMO machine?

What is a scintillating scotoma?

* Usually temporary as described by Wikipedia, but Sarah has this permanently, disrupting her ability to read music or comfortably see grids and other geometric patterns.

What is antiphospholipid syndrome?

Sarah’s Acknowledgements

My colleagues in the Edmonds College English Language Acquisition office for keeping a close eye on me & calling 911 when I wasn't well.

The team in the Cardiac ICU at Swedish Cherry Hill in Seattle - I have no memory of any of them, but my friends & family told me they were great :)

My friends who have listened and helped me process, especially Jennifer.

My husband David, who is the most amazing, loving, and supportive partner I could imagine, and the best possible person to be on this journey with.

Disclaimer

The content provided in this episode, on the Push To Start website, or through any linked resources, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, cardiologist, or another qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have heard or read here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pushtostartpodcast.substack.com

Peter’s Links

Totnes Diving Club

Dawlish Leisure Centre

Associated Links

What is a left bundle branch block

What is a cardioversion

What is a cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator

Peter’s acknowledgements

Steve, Chris and Ollie, who pulled me out of the pool and started CPR.

Harrison and Maria the lifeguards who carried on with CPR, AED and called the ambulance .

The ambulance crews who arrived within 12 minutes.

The team on Taw Ward, RD&E hospital Exeter.

My wife Jean who managed with everything that was thrown at her .

Our daughter Alison who dropped everything to come and support us.

All the friends that have helped out and supported us as we come to terms with the new normal.

Peter will be back in six months to let us know how his recovery has gone and any more news about a diagnosis for his sudden cardiac arrest.

If you’d like to know when this episode drops, subscribe below of via your podcast app.

Disclaimer

The content provided in this episode, on the Push To Start website, or through any linked resources, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, cardiologist, or another qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have heard or read here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pushtostartpodcast.substack.com

News coverage at the time of Clinton’s event

News article about Clinton’s parkrun being gifted grant money for a defibrillator and CPR training.

Clinton’s Links

Clinton’s running club: Mornington Peninsula Athletics Club

Cardiac Arrest Parkrun: Berwick Springs

Local Parkrun now: Gardiners Creek

Clinton’s savior: David Cunningham

Cardiac Athletes

Disclaimer

The content provided in this episode, on the Push To Start website, or through any linked resources, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, cardiologist, or another qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have heard or read here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pushtostartpodcast.substack.com

Miriam Gent had just retrained as a GP and was getting stuck into her new role. One night, during a tea break and a chat with a colleague on shift in a rural Scottish A&E, she collapsed from a sudden cardiac arrest. In this episode, she tells her survival story.

Show Notes

Miriam’s causes

Walk for Hearts - BHF

Heartstart - information for schools - Save a Life for Scotland

Miriam’s recommended reads

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

* Miriam referred to this book when she was talking about research into people's life priorities at different ages/stages of life and the effects of serious or life-threatening illness.

Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence by Gavin Francis

* Miriam talked about recovery not being a linear thing, this short book describes recovery as being like a game of Snakes and Ladders.

Other links

Subcutaneous Internal Defibrillator

Check the About link at https://pushtostartpodcast.substack.com for more resources.

Do you have a survivor story to share?

If you’re a cardiac arrest survivor, and would like to share your story, please get in touch for an informal chat about what’s involved.

Disclaimer

The content provided in this episode, on the Push To Start website, or through any linked resources, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, cardiologist, or another qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have heard or read here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pushtostartpodcast.substack.com

Show Notes

* Cheltenham parkrun, my local one too.

* Forrest presenting at the parkrun Research Board (his section starts at 19:58 but the entire hour is well worth a watch, especially the segment from Forrest’s cardiologist.)

* Local coverage of Forrest’s event from 2017

* Great Western Air Ambulance Charity’s article about Forrest (with interview)

* What is a stent? (British Heart Foundation site)

* Gloucestershire Cardiac Rehabilitation which deals with rehabilitating people, whatever their cardiac problem. It was 8 (rather than Forrest’s 6) weeks when I did it at the end of 2023.

* Cardiac Athletes website and Facebook group

* Garmin, other wearable exercise trackers are available.

* Great Western Hearts programme information page.

* Forrest’s recent 192m high jump off the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand. (will interrupt the podcast if you play it), He’s insane! 😱

Do you have a survivor story to share?

If you’re a cardiac arrest survivor and would like to share your story, please get in touch for an informal chat about what’s involved.

Thanks for reading Push To Start! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.

Disclaimer

The content provided in this episode, on the Push To Start website, or through any linked resources, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, cardiologist, or another qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have heard or read here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pushtostartpodcast.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pushtostartpodcast.substack.com