Life After Cardiac Arrest

This episode explores the CARESSf Project, an innovative initiative designed to improve survivorship care for people affected by cardiac arrest. Host Paul Swindell is joined by Dr. Nathan Pearson, a psychologist and lead researcher, to discuss how the project aims to bridge the gap between hospital discharge and long-term recovery. Together, they unpack the challenges survivors and their families face, the importance of holistic support, and what makes the CARESSf approach unique. Whether you’re a survivor, a loved one, or interested in advances in cardiac care, this episode offers valuable insights and hope for the future.Presented and edited by Paul Swindell.Recorded August 2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Paul Swindell speaks with Dr Uzma Sajjad about the innovative RESCQ Project. This pioneering initiative supports those present at a resuscitation event—often called the "forgotten patients"—who witness out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Dr Sajjad explains how the project, currently piloting in Essex, provides vital resources, emotional support, and personalised guidance to those affected by these traumatic events. Listeners will learn about the project's origins, its collaborative approach, and the importance of addressing the psychological impact on bystanders. Tune in to discover how RESCQ is bridging a crucial gap in post-resuscitation care and changing livesPresented and edited by Paul Swindell.Recorded July 2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Never the same man, Part 2, with Paul chatting with co-survivor David Moore on his son's cardiac arrest, recovery and journey to healing though the creation of a book - "Never the same man." This volume captures the words and images that enabled Richard to communicate with his family how he was feeling. Finding creative writing, first through scrambled thoughts on scraps of paper and then into fully formed poems, Richard has captured many of the thoughts and fears, trials and tribulations of being a cardiac arrest survivor. The book is co-authored with his father, David Moore, who is interviewed in this episode and conducted many of the dialogues that went into forming the core of the book. This episode contains several of Richards read by the author, and they can also be seen in video form on Richard's YouTube channel.Heart BreaksShit, here we go again, digging heels in to resist, dragged to the edge, hoping people don’t see the cliff.My voice starts to waiver, eyes fill with dread, hairs on my back, like needles in my head. Stop stop please stop, take another breath, swallow down the sad, compose back to myself.It was a simple question, tell me how are things, nails dug in my palms. Sirens start to ring.Things get easier with time, and oh you’ll be fine. Clearly all just lies, aiding the disguise.But this time there’s no masking, tears down my face, in the head teachers office, let me out this place. It’s just a conversation, with a million people listening, uncomfortably sitting, changing my position. Record button rolling, the stampede has begun, the horse left with out the carriage. Should I just up & run?The breaks of my heart, shudder to a stop, my heartbreak tale, wish I could swap. Here comes the wave, that knocks me off my feet, tumbling in the undertow, palms the hottest heat. I’m falling apart, for everyone to see, a fully grown adult, it’s not how I should be.Would you like to take a break, a sympathetic voice, the sad doesn’t really stop, I don’t get that choice.Can I take a break from it all, go back to the time before, before all the mess, before the closing of the door. I should have know better than to think I’m ok, the overwhelming dark it never goes away. Feeling quite embarrassed, a pausing of the show, handing me a tissue, not how it’s supposed to go.Stop button pressed, this is as far as I can take. The end of the line, my story of heartbreak.See Richard's YouTube Channel for more of his poems and videosPurchase the book at neverthesameman.co.uk – Never The Same ManRecorded and edited by Paul Swindell, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Never the same man, part 1, with Paul chatting with cardiac arrest survivor Richard Moore on his event, recovery and journey to healing though the creation of a book - "Never the same man." This volume captures the words and images that enabled him to communicate with his family how he was feeling. Finding creative writing, first through scrambled thoughts on scraps of paper and then into fully formed poems, Richard has captured many of the thoughts and fears, trials and tribulations of being a cardiac arrest survivor. The book is co-authored with his father, David Moore, who is interviewed in the second part and conducted many of the dialogues that went into forming the core of the book. This episode contains several of Richards read by the author, and they can also be seen in video form on Richard's YouTube channel.Building a manWhere once, a stone of a man had stood, left now is a broken body, a heart no goodA fall from a place so safe and warm, into the depths where only the buzzards swarm.Into a dark that no one knows, a journey to where, not even sea foam blows.Where the wind and trees don’t get to dance.The seeds that are planted don’t stand a chance.Absent of stars, moon or sky, where odds are stacked and the wager, high.A hollow void where this man shouldn’t be, laid out so bare, for all to see.Alone and helpless sinking inside, reaching, gasping, no more alive.Calm and peace allowing to rest, the sand of time no longer compressed.A weight now lifted, drifting away, this is my place and here I must lay.But within that depth lies a sound that speaks.A drum that beats and refuses defeat.A pulse with no rhythm that started to dance, a song with no words played completely by chance.A hand on my chest, whispers come now, don’t rest.The people I love all put to the test.Life being forced, driven and pressed, do what you can and what ever is best.Next a bolt, thrown at might, thunder charges, angels they fight.Laying claim to a body where they posses no right.The devil he hounds for his pound of flesh, must pay the toll man to get out of this mess.Eyes start to flutter showing signs of a spark, lost in the woods, enough of the dark.Now here lies a man made of stents and stone, glass legs and twisted chest bone.A memory so broken that plays on repeat, a muscle repaired that struggles to beat.Palms held out and feeling for life, the calm of a voice, the warmth of a wife.The storm, now settled and rumbles no more, leaving a man washed up on the shore.A puppet propped up unable to stand, stumbling, falling and needing your hand.A child again, the world has turned, back to the start, this life must be earned.Now the game starts of building a man.The board is set and the dice have ran.All the same pieces, but never the same man.See Richard's YouTube Channel for more of his poems and videosPurchase the book at neverthesameman.co.uk – Never The Same ManRecorded and edited by Paul Swindell, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul talks with Professor Elijah Behr on something that is a subject of great personal interest, having experienced one in 2014 – idiopathic cardiac arrests – events where the cause is unknown. Professor Behr is a world-renowned expert on the subject and has been conducting a BHF-funded study to investigate the cases where people drop down “dead” for no apparent reason.Presented and edited by Paul Swindell.Recorded June 2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SCA Survivor and fellow SCA UK trustee, Joanna Balgarnie chats with Paul about the need for fundraising within SCA UK and the inititives that are being undertaken to bolster the charities coffers.Presented and edited by Paul Swindell.Recorded August 2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul catches up with consultant cardiologist and fellow SCA UK trustee Dr Tom Keeble where he gives an overview of the last 5 years in the world of resuscitation, covid and SCA UK from his perspective.Pleas enot that since this recording doctor Keeble has since become a Professor - congratulations to him, and very much well deserved.Presented and edited by Paul Swindell.Recorded July 2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been 5 years since the last episode and in this first of season 3 finale, Paul gives a quick overview of what's been happening with Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK.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 September 2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul talks with Professor Tobias Cronberg from Lund University in Sweden who is a consultant in Neurology and has a deep interest in brain injury after a cardiac arrest. Professor Cronberg has been working with cooling technologies for over 20 years and is a senior member of the team behind the world wide Targeted Temperature Management 2 (TTM2) trial. The trial is a continuation of the original TTM trial and with almost 2000 patients enrolled, it will supercede it as the largest trial on temperature management as a post-cardiac arrest intervention. Professor Cronberg talks about the history of cooling and what the study hopes to achieve and where it currently is. A fascinating overview of this intervention that many cardiac arrest patients will have received as part of their treatment.Presented and edited by Paul Swindell. Recorded April 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1st May 2020 marks the 5th anniversary of the creation of Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK and Paul takes us through the first 5 years if the group. He talks about the formation and characteristics of the group and thanks some of the key players along the way. Presented and edited by Paul Swindell. Recorded April 2020.Links mentioned in this episode include:LeafletBooksShopDonateDr KeebleSADS UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a follow up of last weeks episode Paul continues his talk with LACA regular consultant cardiologist Dr Tom Keeble. Dr Keeble answers cardiology questions that have been put to him by members of Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK. These include the subjects of beta-blockers, electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium, atherosclerosis (furring of the arteries) and future risk, anti-platelet therapy, super-asperin, ectopics, ICD's (implant healing and leads). Presented and edited by Paul Swindell. Recorded April 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul talks with LACA regular consultant cardiologist Dr Tom Keeble. Dr Keeble talks about the current COVID-19 pandemic including his personal experiences as both a doctor treating patients and as someone who has has a suspected case of the disease. He also answers some questions from members of SCA UK on this topic. Presented and edited by Paul Swindell. Recorded April 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.