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Devon Air Ambulance and NHS saved my life

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Perdita33 Thu 21-Jan-16 10:14:27

Two weeks ago I had a heart attack while walking on Dartmoor with husband - thanks to Devon Air Ambulance and Exeter hospital I'm alive.
We were out walking when I suddenly felt faint and weak. I managed to get to a rock to sit down, but felt worse and worse, sweat pouring off me, couldn't move. We were a mile from road and nearest building, so husband dialled 999.
I then started having chest pain, but it didn't really occur to me that I was having a heart attack. Luckily we were at the top of a hill and the Air Ambulance was able to land near us. When it arrived I was put in the helicopter and they did a ECG. The result was sent to Exeter hospital and when we arrived the cardiac team was waiting for me and they immediately fitted a stent to my blocked coronary artery. I had another stent fitted later in the week.
If it wasn't for the Air Ambulance I would have died or had heart damage. The service is run by charity!
This has been a terrible shock - I was fit and healthy, very active, slim, age 60. The only thing is that I have very high cholesterol, a hereditary condition. I was aware of the high cholesterol, but I didn't want to take Statins and stuck my head in the sand. I'm now taking Statins and 5 other drugs.
We have given a donation to Devon Air Ambulance and told our local paper about it. I'm so grateful to them for the wonderful service they provide.

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Badenkate Thu 21-Jan-16 10:21:24

Absolutely marvellous, both of them. So glad you're feeling better Perditta. And we're all so lucky that the first question we're asked in this situation isn't "How are you going to pay for this?".

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jinglbellsfrocks Thu 21-Jan-16 10:27:48

That is marvellous perdita (obviously not the heart attack, but the Exeter hospital thing.

I can watch the Exeter air ambulance taking off and landing from my son's kitchen window. I often wonder where they are off to, and who they will be helping.

Glad you are ok now. All good wishes. flowers

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POGS Thu 21-Jan-16 10:31:43

Air Ambulance Services throughout the country is brilliant . We are very lucky in this country and I am sure we will all agree the Royal National Lifeboat Institution is another to support and say thanks to.

Perditta I hope you are feeling well, although as you say feeling quite shocked about your ordeal. flowers

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Lona Thu 21-Jan-16 10:37:31

Good to hear that you're OK thanks to the Air Ambulance, they are amazing and so worthy of our support.
flowers

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Luckygirl Thu 21-Jan-16 13:51:10

So glad that you are still with us! flowers

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PRINTMISS Thu 21-Jan-16 16:12:03

That is two lovely threads we have had recently about the excellent service provided by the emergency people, and the treatment from the hospital. Cheers the heart, and I hope he continue to do well Perdita

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seacliff Thu 21-Jan-16 16:22:15

Good to hear you're OK now, must have been very frightening for you both. Well done to the Air Ambulance, they do an amazing job.

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Jalima Thu 21-Jan-16 20:20:05

That must have been very frightening Perdita (thank goodness you weren't living up to your name and that they found you!!) flowers

We should all be supporting our Air Ambulances and thank goodness for the NHS!
Hope you will soon be back to walking on lovely Dartmoor again (perhaps not the Ten Tors walk though).

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whitewave Thu 21-Jan-16 21:23:25

Hello perdita

I am still visiting DH after his heart attack a couple of nights ago. What fantastic service we are getting.

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