SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AND HEART BYPASS SURGERY: Leanne and Stuart's story

On the evening of March 1, 2022, Stuart Waters got home from work and took his two children Sadie and Jude to football training – just like any other Tuesday. Little did he know that later that evening he would suffer a sudden cardiac arrest at the wheel of his car, altering life forever not only for himself, but his wife Leanne, his son and daughter. In the space of a few minutes Leanne was left watching her husband fight for his life just outside the family home, and over the next few months she had to balance supporting Stuart with caring for their children and keeping the life they’d worked so hard to build together afloat. On this episode with Sarah Marsh from the BHF, Leanne speaks candidly about the challenges she faced having become a carer for her partner, how she somehow managed to keep multiple plates spinning against all the odds and how she discovered the hard way that it’s also really important to look after yourself.

If you’ve experienced caring for someone with a heart condition you may find the following links helpful: bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/support-for-carers,

bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/emotional-support-and-wellbeing,

bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/practical-support/can-i-get-financial-support-or-benefits-if-i-have-a-heart-condition,

bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/practical-support/work-and-a-heart-condition

For more information about the BHF’s free, interactive, online training course RevivR, where you can learn CPR in just 15 minutes, visit: www.bhf.org.uk/revivr

As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. If you too would like to donate, you can do so at bhf.org.uk/donatepod

If you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline and you'll find all the contact options there.

And if you’ve got your own heart story, or have any thoughts on this episode, we'd love to hear from you on email at [email protected]

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