Life After Cardiac Arrest

In episode 50, the season 2 finale, Paul talks with Professor Mark Wilson who is qualified in both neurology and pre-hospital care and works at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and for Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust. He is also the co-founder of the GoodSAM platform and app and this is what we talk about today.Professor Wilson takes us through the inception of the platforma as a way to reduce deaths from cardiac arrest and it's take-up by many across the UK and further afield. The platform has gained additional services and responsibilities and is being used to manage the NHS Coronavirus Volunteer responders programme.In just a few years the GoodSAM team have built an enviable platform and reputation and Professor Wilson takes us through what it can do to help those in cardiac arrest and beyond.If you enjoyed this podcast please do leave a positive review on Apple or other podcast providers as it helps us to spread the word.Presented and edited by Paul Swindell.Recorded June 2020.

Paul talks to son and lifesaver Mark Holt about his father's cardiac arrest in a remote Lake District pub. Mark takes us through the event that occurred soon after his seemingly fit and healthy father had completed a run and a walk up the Old Man of Coniston. Mark talks about his work as a carer and how the experience of doing CPR in a medical environment differs from doing it on a family member far away from a hospital. He talks about how it has affected him and his family, his dad's recovery and how a previous stranger's cardiac arrest effectively saved his dad's life.Presented and edited by Paul SwindellRecorded in June 2020

Paul talks with consultant neurologist Professor Tobias Cronberg from Lund University in Sweden on predicting how patients will do after they have had a cardiac arrest.If you listened to episode #044 you will know that Professor Cronberg has a deep interest in brain injury after a cardiac arrest and recently The Lancet published a major review he led into the current state of this subject from prognostication through to rehabilitation.This episode focuses on the prognostication aspect and Professor Cronberg gives us some insights into the tools and techniques that are used and the whys and hows of decisions that are made when reasoning on the possible outcomes.Please be warned that this may be a difficult episode for some to listen to as the professor talks about the stark realities of surviving a cardiac arrest even if you get to the hospital alive.If you enjoyed this podcast please do leave a positive review on Apple or other podcast providers as it helps us to spread the word.Presented and edited by Paul Swindell.Recorded June 2020. 

Paul talks about a device that many sudden cardiac arrest survivors have implanted, an ICD - Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.This episode is an introduction (or "101") into the sorts of things that those with an ICD should be aware of. He covers what an ICD is and why you might have one, what they do and what some of the things to be aware of.Packed full of tips and useful information around this device that is becoming more and more common.An episode for anyone with an ICD whether they've had a cardiac arrest or not.Resources mentioned in the episode:ICD PrecautionsICD ShocksICD SoundsICD ProtectionICD Electro Magnetic CompatibilityICD Support Centre LocatorAsk The ICDDoug Rachac ICD YouTube ChannelPresented and edited by Paul Swindell.Recorded June 2020

Paul talks with consultant cardiologist Dr Sanjay Gupta on a supplement that he's found to be beneficial for cardiac patients who experience ectopics and palpitations. And that supplement is Magnesium and in this episode Dr Gupta takes us through what ectopics and palpitations are and why he recommends taking magnesium for them. He talks about the various types of magnesium available and which ones to buy and which ones to avoid. There's lots of great help if you are experiencing ectopics or palpitations or just want to know a little more about what goes on in your heart. Another essential listen from this popular YouTube cardiologist.Presented and edited by Paul Swindell.Recorded March 2020.

Paul talks with the very remarkable Jonathan Jenkyn who has not only survived a sudden cardiac arrest, but also a potentially fatal kidney condition and he has recently beaten an aggressive form of cancer. Jonathan maybe extremely unlucky in having had the Grim Reaper have 3 attempts at him, and although he defeated this wiley foe he did not escape entirely unscathed from the experiences. However, he is wiser and more upbeat than many and has a positive outlook and attitude to life that many of us would do well to take note of. He takes us through both his cancer and cardiac arrest experiences, his running, his loss of ability to play the guitar, the benefits of giving back and he imparts some very interesting information about ICD's along the way. He also compares the two experiences and the impact that they have had on him and his family. An amazing story of survival, told in an eloquent and engaging way from someone who has earned the right to the accolade of "the ultimate survivor." An essential listen to survivors of all types and beyond!P.S. A few days after recording this episode Jonathan fulfilled one of his bucket list by recording a song with his daughter and he released it on Youtube, it's rather good and will inspire all those who may have lost some musical ability after an event like an SCA.Presented and edited by Paul Swindell. Recorded May 2020

Paul talks with assistant Professor Terry Brown on the out of hospital outcomes registry which is a project conducted by The University of Warwrick medical school. Terry takes us through what the registry is and how it fits in internationally (CARES, EURECA, PAROS), what information they collect and some of the projects that they have been looking at. From the data they have collated from the 11 ambulance services in England they have produced a number of outputs and have calculated the stats that are commonly quoted such as the survival rate of 8-10%. Terry also talks about how the data from the registry is helping to shape the future by guiding them on what areas of the country need better coverage of defibrillators and CPR training and how drones may deliver AED's to needy areas. Presented and edited by Paul Swindell. Recorded March 2020.

Paul talks with consultant cardiologist Dr Sanjay Gupta on a subject that he specialises in, cardiac imaging. Dr Gupta takes us through the various tools that he uses such as echocardiogram, computerised tomography (CT) scanning and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning. Dr Gupta explains everything about these techniques that patients need to know and also talks about how future tools may help prevent the main cause of sudden cardiac adeaths - heart attacks. Presented and edited by Paul Swindell. Recorded March 2020.