A Cairns dad who survived a sudden heart attack has paid tribute to his family and the clinicians whose care and quick actions saved his life.
Jason Mather, 54, collapsed at home on 20 June and his heart stopped, setting off a chain of life-saving care from his family and paramedics, through to specialist teams in Cairns Hospital.
With no symptoms and no warning, Jason has shared his story to encourage others to receive regular health checks and to highlight the high level of cardiac care available in the region.
This year Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service has added six cardiologists to its team amid growing demand as part of a $7.8 million investment into cardiac care.
Wife Simone had fortunately come home early that day and sprang into action by commencing CPR and sending her young daughter to the neighbours for help.
When paramedics arrived, he needed to be shocked twice at home by a defibrillator and needed a further shock when he arrived at Cairns Hospital.
He spent two weeks unconscious in the Intensive Care Unit at Cairns Hospital with his family by his side before being moved to the cardiac ward for continued specialist care.
Jason said he had no warning signs and no family history leading up to the attack.
‘It was like a lightning bolt out of the blue, I just thought it was something that would never happen to me,’ he said.
‘I consider myself somewhat fit, I walk quite a lot for work, it wasn’t even on my radar.’
He said he was told by hospital staff he was incredibly lucky and the type of heart attack he had suffered was quite often fatal.
‘Everyone said things lined up, it wasn’t meant to by my moment this time,’ he said.
‘My neighbour used to be a police officer and was trained in CPR. Simone wouldn’t normally have been home at that time either so I would have been by myself for an hour.
‘The hospital team have been amazing; everyone has been only too happy to explain what was happening and been very caring. They’ve kept me well informed.
‘I had a nurse in my room virtually 24/7 at one point and they were always so kind.’
Cairns Hospital Acting Clinical Director Cardiology Services Dr Steven Sutcliffe said Mr Mather had suffered a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest caused after plaque became lodged in his heart’s arteries and caused a blockage.
‘Jason was incredibly lucky because he was able to receive care almost straight away with bystander CPR and the quick arrival of paramedics,’ he said.
‘Typically, we see the poorest patient outcomes in those who have suffered this type of heart attack.’
An additional six new cardiologists commenced work at Cairns Hospital this year as part of a $7.8 million investment into expanding cardiac care for Far North Queenslanders.
Heart disease is responsible for almost a quarter of deaths in Australia with men at far greater risk than women.
Hospital admissions for heart conditions, including cardiac arrest and arrhythmias, have grown more than any other admission group at Cairns Hospital in recent years.
Mr Mather care has continued after leaving hospital and he is now undergoing a cardiac rehabilitation program. He said the incident had been a health wake up call.
‘Like a lot of men, one thing I didn’t really do is get check-ups regularly,’ he said.
‘I just want people to be aware that this can happen with a moment’s notice.
‘I’m doing what the doctors have advised for my recovery including some light exercise.
‘I’m also so incredibly grateful to have my wife Simone in my life.’