A WOMAN who suffered a heart attack has been reunited with the ambulance crew who saved her.

Pat Jameson, 70, had been having pains in her arms which she originally thought was because of her arthritis, but called NHS 111 to check.

However she started feeling sick while on the phone so the health advisor she was talking to sent an ambulance to her home in Peacehaven.

Paramedic Luke Wheeler and student paramedic Michelle Goddard were first on the scene and had already started checks on Mrs Jameson’s heart when two colleagues arrived.

At this point Mrs Jameson’s heart suddenly stopped and a defibrillator had to be used to get it going again.

After being stabilised, Mrs Jameson was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where she needed six more shocks from a defibrillator before being fitted with a device to improve the blood flow through her heart.

She was able to go home five days after her ordeal, which began on New Year’s Eve and she has now paid a visit to the Newhaven ambulance station to say thank you.

Mrs Jameson, who will celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband Roy next year, said: “My family and I are just so grateful for everything everyone did.

“Everyone worked so hard to help me and my time isn’t up because of them. The doctors in the hospital were amazing too. I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been lovely to meet the ambulance team again in better circumstances.

“It does change your outlook. It’s made me realise I shouldn’t take anything for granted and the simple things hit home such as looking out at the birds and thinking ‘I might not have been here to see this.’”

Mr Jameson said: “We’re so thankful. If Pat had suffered chest pain and tightness too we wouldn’t have hesitated to call 999 but it’s obviously vital that the 111 service can also spot a life-threatening situation too.

“I’d urge anyone who has any of the symptoms of a heart attack to act immediately and seek help.”

Mr Wheeler, paramedic, said: “It’s great to see Pat looking so well and we’re obviously delighted she’s made such a good recovery and has been able to meet with us.”