Wife uses CPR to save husband from heart attack (From York Press)

Wife uses CPR to save husband from heart attack

10:00am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Jennifer Bell, jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk

A CHARITY worker has told how her husband fought back from the brink of death after suffering a heart attack in bed.

Sally Hutchinson feared the worst when she found husband Barry unconscious, but she performed CPR and medics saved his life.

Today she gave heartfelt thanks to those who nursed her husband back to health, saying that without them he would not have been able to celebrate his 60th birthday at the weekend with his children and grandson.

The couple now plan to mark their 33rd anniversary with a round-the-world trip next year. Mrs Hutchinson said: “We feel like we have been given a second chance.”

Mrs Hutchinson, chief officer with Age UK York, found her husband, a semi-retired lecturer, collapsed on September 22.

She said: “I had got at about 7.30am to go for a run and left Barry to sleep in. He turned to me and asked me to turn the heating down. When I came back into the bedroom I found him unconscious on the bed and not breathing.

“I shouted at him and slapped him and when he didn’t respond I pushed him on to the floor and started performing CPR. I have been trained but never thought I would actually ever be in a situation where I would have to do it.”

Mrs Hutchinson phoned 999 while performing CPR and a “patient and supportive” call handler talked her through the procedure.

A rapid response ambulance arrived within minutes and the first paramedic helped Mrs Hutchinson administer CPR until two more paramedics arrived.

“The three worked so hard to help re-start Barry’s heart,” she said. “Barry had to be shocked then to get him able enough to be able to go to hospital.”

“They were amazing at A&E – they were magic. They stabilised Barry and took him to the intensive care unit where the staff worked so tirelessly both supporting our family and friends throughout the most difficult time in our lives to helping to wake and bring back the Barry we know and love.”

After four days in an induced coma to determine any damage caused to his brain, Mr Hutchinson was passed to the high-dependency unit for a week, then moved to the coronary care unit before he was transferred to the heart unit on ward 32.

“Through all this time, at our shoulders, were the amazing pastoral team – Rev Andrew Foster and his colleague Rev Stuart – who were just so supportive,” said Mrs Hutchinson.

“Barry finally came home a fortnight ago. We have feel like we have been given a second chance.

“None of this would have happened without every single person who played a part in his amazing recovery. We so very nearly lost him that day, which is why I wish to openly thank everyone.”

Mrs Hutchinson would like to thank York Red Cross, the North Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the call handler, the three paramedics, their neighbours who watched over their home and cared for their dogs, the team at York Hospital’s A&E department, the staff in ICU, high dependency unit, the coronary care unit and the staff at Ward 32 and Rev Foster and Rev Stuart.

“We will forever be in their debt,” said Sally.