Patient stories
Read or watch stories from our patients.
Michael's story
Read about Michael's experience with Atrial Fibrallation and Catheter Ablation.
![Carmen's story](/images/general/Services-and-clinics/cardiology/carmens-story-resized.jpg)
Carmen's story
“This doesn’t happen to people like me.” Carmen, aged 50
“I was fit and energetic, always on-the-go. I ate well and exercised. I never thought I would need The Alfred. But unknowingly I contracted a heart condition called idiopathic giant-cell myocarditis, which is caused by a virus. It took hold really quickly and it soon became clear I needed medical help. By the time I was rushed to The Alfred, my heart had swollen to three times its size. I literally had seconds to live. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I thought, ‘This just doesn’t happen to people like me’. The Alfred saved my life.”
![Fraser's story](/images/general/Services-and-clinics/cardiology/frasers-story-resized.jpg)
Fraser's story
“I didn’t need a heart transplant but I was close.” Fraser, aged 27
“I thought I had a bout of tonsillitis, then I started having difficulty breathing. My condition got much worse. I was taken to The Alfred because it was the only place that could save my life. I had several cardiac arrests – my heart just stopped working. Thanks to The Alfred, I didn’t die. I’ve had to adjust my lifestyle and be a lot more cautious about my health. I can’t be as spontaneous as I used to be. But I feel lucky. I’m alive.”
![Alan's story](/images/general/Services-and-clinics/cardiology/alans-story-resized.jpg)
Alan's story
“I went to my kayak race thinking, I don’t feel right for this.” Alan, aged 72
“I’m used to leading a very active life. It’s a good thing I’m retired – work would just get in the way of my pursuits. I’m a keen kayaker and the first I knew of my heart problem was in the run-up to a race. With hindsight, I see something had been up for a few days but I went to it thinking, ‘I really don’t feel right for this’. Luckily I finished the contest. The next day, I was at home and I came over all funny, fell off my chair and hit my head on the piano. I didn’t know it then but my brain had stopped sending signals to my heart. After arriving by ambulance at The Alfred, I was given emergency care and then later I was fitted with a pacemaker. Today, I’m thankful I went to hospital before it was too late. Thanks to The Alfred, I’ve been given an extension to my life.”
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