AMA I survived a cardiac arrest

[RoundTwo2]

No idea if this will be a good AMA idea or a boring one!

happened a while ago, I guess I was technically dead for a bit until they got my heart beating again

Feel free to ask anything!

*sorry I was sure I was on AMA and didn’t realise I was on AIBU- I’ll ask MN to move the thread! Can’t seem to move it myself

So pleased you survived!

Do you know what caused it?

OP!!!

So glad you're OK!

How old are you?
Has it changed anything about the way you live?
What was "dying" like?!?!?! any tunnels of light etc?

Thank you! Me too, it feels so surreal to even think about it all!

I have problems with the electrics in my heart and I go into dangerous rhythms. Before the arrest I was in 3rd degree block and then my heart seemed to just give out completely and it just stopped!

What does it actually feel like? What's the level and duration and nature of the pain?
Did you survive because someone 'saved' you, or just you were alone and somehow survived? Sorry I don't know much about it.
I have an interest as my dad died of what I was told was a 'heart attack'.

Thank you so much!

im in my mid 30s!

it definitely has changed things. My life changed overnight- after it happened I lost my license, my job, my relationship and I remember feeling like my life just fell apart. Then I remember thinking I can either wallow in it or I can use this as the opportunity to be the making of me and that’s what I did. Life is going great now and I definitely keep things in perspective now. I don’t worry so much about things that don’t need to be worried about 😊

honestly- nothing. It’s a bit disappointing because I always thought there would be a light or something after but there wasn’t anything at all. I was unwell before it and after so it all just sort of became a blur and I only remember snippets but I don’t even remember arresting at all. It’s as if it didn’t happen. I don’t remember blacking out or waking up, it’s just nothing. I didn’t even know it had happened until I was told a few days later

What were you doing/where were you when it occurred? I am glad you recovered!

So glad you are ok.

Did you have ‘classic’ symptoms - IE male ones - or the less recognised ‘female’ ones?

Did anyone attempt CPR or use a mobile defibrillator

again - glad you are ok xxx

I wouldn't take this as a sign there's nothing after death. You didn't actually die, presumably your brain didn't suffer from lack of oxygen and still fired electrical signals or you wouldn't be here talking to us. Glad you're ok, keep the faith, there's more to life than this place. x

It’s weird, i don’t even remember blacking out or waking up, it’s like it just didn’t happen at all. I had no idea it happened until I was told. I didn’t wake up dramatically or anything like that, I just have no recollection of it altogether

Maybe I wasn’t out for long enough as it was only 60s but I’m not sure!

I was in hospital already and they immediately started CPR and I was given a lot of medication. I was asystolic for 60s and they said it was a miracle it happened in a hospital environment because they could jump on my chest immediately which is much better in terms of outcome

im so sorry about your dad 💐

I was in hospital as my heart was stuck in a funny rhythm but I was generally stable albeit I felt a bit unwell. But they said the electrics just reached the point they eventually started collapsing. All I remember was very quickly feeling really unwell and having a terrible feeling of doom. I could hear the machines beeping, lots of people coming in the room and it getting very very busy. I remember snippets but it all feels like a blur and it’s not a clear cut memory if that makes sense- it’s just like little blurry bits and pieces!

Thank you very much that’s very kind of you 💐

they did CPR and gave me medication when it happened, epinephrine I think and something else starting with a D I’m sure? I might have got that wrong! No defib as apparently that only works if it’s certain rhythms and mine was asystolic so wouldn’t have worked for that. The doctor was telling me how frustrating it is for them to see people get shocked out of it on medical TV shows like casualty because apparently it’s not correct and it drives them bonkers to see it!

my main symptoms were palpitations and lightheadedness, for the male vs female symptoms I think that’s more for heart attacks but that might be wrong of me! I didn’t have any chest pain or anything like that

Thank you @RoundTwo2

My mum had a heart attack on holiday and didn’t even realise until she saw her GP two weeks later - thankfully medication has managed to reverse most of the damage- I’m hyper aware due to also inheriting the same bloody cholesterol issues!

Thank you. I'm so glad you are better. And yeah, it's very fortunate you were already in hospital!

The way you describe it sounds almost like a seizure or overdose. No recollection whatsoever. I guess that's good as it could be a distressing memory if there was one.

Thank you again and wishing you well x

I’ve never had a seizure or overdose so no idea if it was similar to that but they said I just lost consciousness because my blood pressure starting crashing really quickly. Its feels freaky not remembering what happened but they said that’s normal because of how low my blood pressure was but definitely still feels weird having gaps in my memory! But at the same time the memory would probably be really distressing so maybe best not to remember!

I had been in the hospital for a while actually at the time and I had been in 3rd degree block for a bit leading up to it and was coping somewhat ok with it but then it just gave out very very quickly! It seemed to be holding out and then once it went, it went VERY fast. Very freaky to think back on!

thank you 💐

My DH survived an out of hospital cardiac arrest too. Only 10% of people do. You are both very fortunate. Hope you are well 🩷

Did any of your bones get broken in resuscitation? Or any other side effects of that?

No defib as apparently that only works if it’s certain rhythms and mine was asystolic so wouldn’t have worked for that.

Dear God, I wish fucking Hollywood was as informed! Cardiac monitors don't give a long beep when you expire either, if anyone is interested.

A defib stops the heart, it doesn't start it.