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Life After Cardiac Arrest

Life After Cardiac Arrest

Written by: Paul Swindell
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About this listen

The Life After Cardiac Arrest podcast is hosted by survivor Paul Swindell and is conversations with people who's lives have been affected by a cardiac arrest, whether that be as a patient, partner, life saver or health professional. The podcast aims to give insight, information and hope to any others going through this life changing event.


A cardiac arrest is when someone's heart stops beating due to an electrical malfunction, it's different to a heart attack, which is a "plumbing" problem, although many cardiac arrests are caused by a heart attack.


Someone in cardiac arrest could be said to be clinically dead, and if no intervention is made they will unfortunately stay that way and die. In the UK only 8% survive this event, and with an estimated 250 taking place each day there is a growing number of survivors.


A thriving peer support community - Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK - has grown out of the need for more information and help for survivors and their families post discharge. The NHS and chain of survival are doing remarkable things in helping people survive but unfortunately the system hasn't yet caught up with the problems that survivors and their families are experiencing after this life changing event.


If you have been affected by a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, come and join over a thousand others at:


facebook.com/groups/SuddenCardiacArrestUK

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Swindell Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • #061 Co-Survivor advocacy with Kristin Flanary

    #061 Co-Survivor advocacy with Kristin Flanary
    Dec 22 2025

    This episode shines a spotlight on the vital role of co-survivors—those whose lives are deeply impacted when a loved one experiences a medical crisis. Host Paul Swindell is joined by Kristin Flanary, also known as Lady Glaucomflecken, a leading advocate and communicator who has turned her personal journey as a three-time co-survivor into a powerful movement. Together, they discuss the challenges co-survivors face, the importance of naming and validating their experiences, and how Kristin and her husband, Dr Glaucomflecken, have built a supportive community through humour and advocacy. Whether you’re a survivor, a co-survivor, or interested in the human side of healthcare, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom.


    Presented and edited by Paul Swindell.

    Recorded September 2025.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    55 mins
  • #060 Understanding communication challenges post cardiac arrest with Jeanne Reilly

    #060 Understanding communication challenges post cardiac arrest with Jeanne Reilly
    Dec 11 2025

    This episode is the second of two parts with cardiac arrest survivor Jeanne Reilly. Jeanne is also a speech and language therapist with many years of experience addressing communication issues and is the ideal person to offer insights and solutions to the common communication issues survivors experience. In this second part, Jeanne shares her professional experience and how it can help other survivors and their key supporters. The first part explored Jeanne's cardiac arrest experience and how her professional experience has eased the recovery.


    Presented and edited by Paul Swindell.

    Recorded August 2025.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • #059 When words won't come. A speech therapist's experience of a sudden cardiac arrest with Jeanne Reilly

    #059 When words won't come. A speech therapist's experience of a sudden cardiac arrest with Jeanne Reilly
    Dec 11 2025

    This episode is the first of two parts with cardiac arrest survivor Jeanne Reilly. Jeanne is also a speech and language therapist with many years of experience dealing with communication issues and is the ideal person to offer insights and solutions to the common issues survivors experience. This first part explores Jeanne's cardiac arrest experience and how her professional experience has eased the recovery. In the second part, Jeanne shares her professional experience and how it can help other survivors and their key supporters.


    Presented and edited by Paul Swindell.

    Recorded August 2025.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
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