A Scots mum has recalled the moment she believed she was going to die after suffering a cardiac arrest aged just 53.
Suzie Young, from Midlothian, was hospitalised for 10 days following the “traumatic” incident which occurred on July 23, 2023. Prior to the cardiac arrest, Suzie had no past health conditions but started to feel unwell before having palpitations.
First responders arrived at Suzie’s home as she was in cardiac arrest, she claims beforehand it felt like her body was “shutting down”.
The mum spent eight minutes without oxygen and is now keen to pass on her thanks to the paramedics who saved her life.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, she said: “It happened on the first day of the summer holidays, everything was normal.
“In the evening I was having a rush of palpitations and they just continued to get worse. I ran up the stairs and started to feel so unwell. It got to the point I was lying on my ensuite floor trying to cool myself down on the tiles.
“I remember thinking ‘oh god, I am going to die here’. I was so poorly. I couldn’t talk or lift my arm. I could feel my body shutting down and I don’t remember anything after that.”
After calling the Scottish Ambulance Service, paramedic Andy arrived shortly after. She said the timing of his arrival was “incredible”.
She added: “My husband Ian didn’t know CPR, he didn’t know I was in cardiac arrest either so he had no idea what was going on. Andy showed Ian how to do CPR while he delivered four shocks with a defibrillator.
“After I woke up in the conservatory, there were four members of the ambulance team there who rushed me to the hospital. It was so traumatic for everyone. My mother-in-law was downstairs and my son was coming back from his holiday that day.”
Following the horrific experience, she said the trauma has “taken a toll” on her life. She was diagnosed with Arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat, and eventually fitted with an ICD.
Suzie added: “I was treated for Wolf Parkinson White syndrome, but unfortunately, they felt that is not what caused my arrest.
“It’s so traumatic to look back on because I was so close to death and I just kept thinking I was on my way out. I have had a loss of confidence, I sometimes don’t want to go out in case it happens again.”
Suzie previously worked as a head teacher in West Lothian and had to give up her job following the incident. A year on, she says she is “getting her mojo back” and has praised the work of the emergency services.
She continued: “A year down the line I am absolutely fine, I can breathe a bit better and I am taking more time for self-care.
“I went to Astley Ainslie hospital and they do such crucial work. They specialise in rehabilitation for different conditions – the unit does amazing things.”
Suzie reunited with paramedic Andy Rae, who was the first SAS responder on the scene. She also wanted to pass her heartfelt thanks to the rest of the team that saved her life. This included Steven Hay, Clinical Team Leader Dalkeith, Vicky Korotkich, Paramedic and Kayleigh Gibson, Technician, both based at Haddington, who were also in attendance, and ACC staff, Mark Linden, Colin Carr and Neil Finlayson.
In a statement posted on the Scottish Ambulance Service website, Suzie said: “It was amazing to get to say thank you to Andy. It felt very emotional to meet the person who saved your life. He explained the events that happened from his point of view, and it reinforced what a lucky girl I am to be alive.
“The care I received from the ambulance service was amazing. I so grateful to Andy for saving my life. He was so calm and caring with my husband. I remember in the hospital Andy coming back to see how we were doing, and he gave Ian a big hug.”
Suzie’s sister also raised over £1000 in 2023 for the British Heart Foundation.
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