Mike first joined Heartbeat following bypass surgery. Determined to rebuild his strength and confidence, he attended our supervised cardiac rehabilitation classes regularly – doing everything right to look after his heart health. But then one day during a class, everything changed.

Mike suddenly collapsed beside the cross-trainer. He had gone into a cardiac arrest – something that can happen to anyone, at any time.

Thanks to our highly trained team and the fact that a defibrillator was just feet away, immediate action was taken. Our cardiac physiologists Jo and Debbie began CPR and delivered one shock with the defib.

A few moments later… Mike came round.

He survived – because our team was trained, because they were ready, and because life-saving equipment was right there when he needed it.

Later, Mike wrote to us:

“You have no idea what you have done for us. Words will never be enough and I, for one, will be eternally grateful – we both will. Writing these words is hard, but necessary. Thank you for saving my life.” 

May 2025