Essex cardiac arrest survivors in Guinness World record attempt

25 Jun Essex cardiac arrest survivors in Guinness World record attempt

A new Guinness World Record looks a safe bet after 127 cardiac arrest survivors gathered at Basildon University Hospital.

Survivors, aged 11 to 80, and their families attended the event on Saturday 9 June, which was organised by Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK in conjunction with The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre and SADS UK.

Guinness World Record has to officially verify the attempt, which could take several weeks however organisers are confident it has been broken. To create a new world record, 50 cardiac arrest survivors had to participate.

Paul Swindell, from Benfleet Essex, set up the Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK support group following his cardiac arrest in April 2014, at the age of 48. As a key organiser of the event, he was thrilled with the turn-out. He said: “People have travelled from across the UK, by train, plane and automobile to be here at the world record attempt. Although we won’t know officially for a few weeks, I’m confident that we’ve done it.

“It’s been a fantastic event. It’s great to see so many survivors all together, swapping stories and being part of something as special as a world record attempt.”

Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone regardless of age, fitness or general health. It is not the same as a heart attack. A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. The person will suddenly lose consciousness and stop breathing or stop breathing normally. It needs immediate treatment with CPR or the person will die within minutes. A heart attack is sudden interruption to the blood supply to part of the heart muscle, causing chest pain and permanent damage to the heart. But the person remains conscious and breathing.