Teen meets life-saving staff after cardiac arrest

A teenager who suffered a cardiac arrest due to an undiagnosed heart condition has met ambulance staff to thank them for saving his life.

Hayden, from Westgate-on-Sea in Kent, collapsed one morning in January while at home with his mother, Stacy, who found him slumped in bed, breathing unusually.

Stacey, who called 999, said: "I just knew something wasn't right. At first, I thought he was asleep but the sounds he was making didn't seem normal. It was terrifying."

Hayden, who spent three weeks in hospital, said: "It's strange not remembering anything, but I know how serious it was and how lucky I am. Meeting the people who saved my life was amazing and I can't thank them enough."

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SEcamb) said that within a minute of the emergency call an ambulance crew had arrived at the scene.

Paramedics confirmed Hayden was in cardiac arrest and began chest compressions before delivering a defibrillator shock.

Five shocks were delivered before Hayden's heart was successfully restarted and his circulation restored.

He was then taken to the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.

Following extensive testing, doctors discovered Hayden had a congenital heart condition.

As a result, his family members are now undergoing screening.

Hayden has since returned to normal activities and remains a keen gym-goer.

The experience has prompted Stacey, and Hayden's sister, Sydney, to complete CPR training.

Paramedic Lauren, from Secamb, said: "Jobs like this stay with you and you always wonder what the outcome was, so to meet Hayden and see him doing so well was really special.

"It's a reminder of how important early intervention and teamwork are in situations like this."

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