Cardiac nurse dubbed "hero" after overcoming heart attack

Wednesday 01 May 2019

A local cardiac nurse, who decided to "overhaul" her lifestyle after surviving her own heart attack, has been been awarded for her "bravery and commitment."

Tania Hanson, who was given a Jersey Heart Hero Award by the British Heart Foundation, gave up cigarettes for good and pledged to populate her diet with fresh produce after suffering a heart attack on 18 August 2018, collapsing just outside her home.

The events unfolded after Tania had been shopping and felt unwell. She drove home and got out of her car and began to walk to her flat, but suddenly collapsed.

She quickly came round and told the people who had stopped to help her that she was having a heart attack, telling them to phone 999.

Tania was then taken to the Emergency Department where she was stabilised, after having being resuscitated and shocked in the back of the ambulance. 

Pictured: Tania had to be resuscitated and shocked in the ambulance that took her to the hospital.

Once transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, she had to be resuscitated and shocked again. The following day she was flown to the John Radcliffe in Oxford, where doctors put stents in place to help the blood flow in her heart.

Amy O'Brien, a Fundraising Manager for the British Heart Foundation, said the way Tania dealt with this "life-changing event" was remarkable and commendable.

Having been a smoker before her cardiac event, Tania immediately gave up cigarettes upon her return to the island, without ever using any kind of nicotine patch or e-cigarette.

She also completely overhauled her diet and lifestyle, and started cooking all her meals from scratch using fresh produce.

Pictured: Tania now cooks all her meals from scratch.

Once she was given the go-ahead by the Specialist Cardiac Nurses, Tania began to slowly increase her physical activity and threw herself "wholeheartedly" into her cardiac rehab. Today, Tania walks everywhere she can. 

What's more, she has written a soon-to-be published blog about her experience, which Ms O'Brien says is "not only insightful, but extremely funny." Tania hopes to share her blog soon to educate others on how important it is to keep a healthy lifestyle.

Tania also takes pride in being able to say to her patients “I know what this feels like”, because she really does.

She has vowed to fundraised for BHF Jersey this year, as a gesture of gratitude to the charity.

Pictured: Tania was present in thought at the Heart Awards ceremony.

Tania was awarded a Jersey Heart Hero Award last month in recognition of "her bravery and commitment to overcoming her heart attack and educating others on her experience."

While she was absent from the ceremony, Dr Andrew Mitchell, the Cardiologist at Jersey Hospital, with whom she works, gave her her award earlier this week.

Pictured top: Tania receiving her award from cardiologist Dr Andrew Mitchell. (@mitcharj/Twitter)