Heart attack survivor shares his life-changing NHS experience
Date of release: 20 March 2025
A Wolverhampton man has shared his story of survival and recovery after suffering a major heart attack, praising the care he received.
Chris Parsons
Chris Parsons started to feel unwell on 2 May but couldn’t quite pinpoint what was wrong.
Initially dismissing it, he later found himself struggling to walk and his wife insisted they seek medical help.
He said: “Within two minutes of arriving at Russells Hall Hospital’s A&E, I was lying on a bed being wired up to an ECG machine.
“The team immediately told me I was in the middle of a major heart attack.”
He was urgently transferred by ambulance to New Cross Hospital, where a specialist Cardiac team was waiting for him. He underwent an angioplasty procedure, where doctors inserted a stent to open up a completely blocked artery.
He said: “I was fully conscious during the procedure, and the team talked me through each stage. From the moment we arrived at A&E to lying in a hospital ward post procedure, only three hours had passed – it was incredible.”
Following three days at New Cross Hospital, his recovery continued with Cardiac Rehabilitation at Russells Hall. He was given exercise guidance, nutritional advice, and emotional support.
He added: “At first, I wasn’t sure about counselling, as I felt fine. But after the first session, I realised how much the heart attack had affected me. It helped me process what had happened and gave me the tools to move forward positively.”
Chris receives specialist support from Action Hearts and nine months on, he has lost over 22kg from exercising regularly and feels healthier than ever.
He said: “I was made to feel safe and cared for by everyone, from A&E staff to the ambulance crew, nurses, doctors, and rehab teams. They treated me as an individual and with kindness.
“This has helped me get to a position where I am healthier than I have been for years, have a new lease on life, and I’m looking forward to what the future brings.”
Signs of a heart attack can include central chest pain or tightness going into the arm or neck; some people may also sweat and feel dizzy. But please be aware that symptoms may not be the same for everyone.
If you have any of these symptoms, please seek medical advice.
