Staff save man's life after 'lucky' cardiac arrest

A 56-year-old man has praised Epworth Geelong staff as "lifesavers" after he collapsed in the private hospital's Emergency Department.

Cam Quinten, from Ocean Grove in coastal Victoria, had been at Epworth Geelong for a heart health appointment on the advice of his general practitioner.

He was heading back to his car afterwards when he said he started to feel "a bit ordinary".

Mr Quinten just managed to reach the Emergency Department before collapsing.

"It was by complete chance that I walked into the waiting room at Epworth Geelong. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time," he said.

"I believe Epworth staff saved my life – it's pretty amazing.

"I know for them, it's probably just what they do every day, but it's incredible what these people do for a job and how it has impacted someone like me."

Epworth staff swung into action, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Mr Quinten and using a defibrillator, before he underwent an emergency cardiac procedure while in an induced coma.

Mr Quinten was in intensive care for three days and spent the next 10 days in hospital recovering.

He recently had his final neurological follow-up test and delivered chocolates to thank his cardiologist and the team who cared for him.

Associate Professor Adam Hutchinson, a cardiologist at Epworth Geelong, said only about 25 percent of patients survived an 'in hospital' cardiac arrest.

That statistic falls to about five percent if the patient has a cardiac arrest at home or elsewhere.

"If Cam had made the decision to go to the car, he probably wouldn't be with us today," A/Prof Hutchison said. 

"Cardiac arrest is where the electrical system of the heart malfunctions and effectively you get no meaningful pumping of the heart, and the brain is starved of oxygen. CPR or defibrillation are vital.

"The reason why Cam is in such a good state is obviously luck that he had his cardiac arrest in the right place.

"The emergency department worked really well doing resuscitation and trying to keep his brain alive while we worked on his heart."

Mr Quinten is now on a mission to spread the word about the importance of regular health checks – his visit to Epworth Geelong had been because his GP found he had high blood pressure during one of his routine visits, and recommended a heart stress test.

"I am relatively young, fairly fit, I go for bike rides and walks in the morning, and I eat a normal diet," Mr Quinten said. 

"It can happen to anyone. I feel like a reformed smoker telling everyone they should go to the GP and get a check-up.

"Everyone around me has been interested in how I am going, but they are also thinking, 'I should do something about my health too'. And that's a good thing." 

The Epworth HealthCare hospital's Medical Services Director, Dr Matt Ryan, said Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showed men were less likely to see a GP than women.

"It's important to be proactive and discuss any health concerns with your doctor," he said.

"I'd encourage anyone feeling uncertain to book an appointment with their GP – you're better giving them a call than waiting and worrying.

"For men in their mid-40s and older, regular heart health checks are particularly important to identify any risks early and stay on top of your heart health.

"Ultimately, if you make an appointment and there's nothing to worry about, you've still gained peace of mind."

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