Lucky to be alive, Karina thanks ambos and rehab

KARINA Sikora had longed to be a nana and a near-death experience has made her treasure the experience even more.

Karina, from Venus Bay, suffered a massive heart attack three months ago, ending up in full cardiac arrest. 

Only 12 per cent of people survive this form of heart attack, known as Nstemi, and caused by a full blood clot blockage in the main artery.

But Karina wasn’t about to let go.

“I waited so long to be a Nana, there was no way I was leaving him,” she says.

Karina thanks two ambulance officers for saving her life and Gippsland Southern Health Service’s (GSHS) cardiac rehabilitation program for getting her back on track.

The 45-year-old aged care nurse describes herself as a fit, active and healthy person, with smoking her only risk factor.

Having completed GSHS’s cardiac rehabilitation program, now she is bouncing back and enjoying every moment with grandson Tait, now six months old.

On August 16, Karina got to meet the two ambulance officers from Wonthaggi who saved her life. 

“I was very lucky to meet them. When I went into cardiac arrest, I was lights out,” she said. “Clinically I was gone for eight minutes. They did CPR on me for the entire eight minutes and they used a defibrillator, which is what saved my life.

“It was an emotional meeting. I told them I get to watch my grandson grow up because of you guys.”

Karina was visiting her daughter Tiarni when she had the heart attack. “If I was at home, I probably wouldn’t be around to tell the tale,” she said.

She felt unwell but initially dismissed it as heartburn. When it changed to a crushing pain, her nursing training kicked in and she recognised the signs and called 000.

After being revived by the ambulance officers, she was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital.

The heart attack shocked the close-knit community.

“It was a wake-up call for a lot of people,” Karina said. “Everyone is getting a heart check and defibrillators are getting installed.

“The theory is that if it happened to Karina, it could happen to anyone. I’m one of the lucky ones. I exercise, I don’t have a history of heart problems in my family and the only thing for me was that I was a smoker.”

She hasn’t had a cigarette since the day of the heart attack, many family members and friends have followed her example.

Karina was referred to the cardiac rehabilitation program by the Alfred Hospital.

“I asked to be referred to a local program because I didn’t want to have to drive to Melbourne,” she said. “I can’t drive until cleared by a cardiologist, which is another hurdle living in a remote community.”

Tiarni and Karina’s husband Kyle took turns driving her 45-minutes to Korumburra for the weekly sessions which offer both education and exercise support.

There is a different topic each week covering everything from medications and diet to occupational therapy ideas and exercise.

Karina says both the education and exercise fields have been helpful.

She nearly doubled her walking distance when tested at the end of the program and she’s learnt a lot about coping with the confidence and mental challenges of surviving a life-threatening event.

“It helps you to rebuild your muscle strength and confidence,” she said, “Anyone who has undergone a cardiac event, your confidence is really taken aback. You certainly see your life flash before you.

“The physical side of the program was fantastic. It encouraged me to be active, which is a super important part of your recovery.

“I’m not 100 per cent but I’m confident now to walk on my own and I don’t mind working up to being a little bit short of breath because I know that will be good for my heart.

“It’s not just the physical side, the education side is always relevant, right down to the mental health of someone who has gone through a cardiac event.

“It’s extremely common for people who’ve had a cardiac issue to have depression and the program helps your emotional and mental wellbeing.”

“You go through an event like that, you question life.”

Karina recommends the rehabilitation program anyone who has been through a cardiac event. “I’m a nurse and pretty fit and active, but I still learnt a lot,” she said. “It’s also just about attending and talking to people when you can’t work or drive.

“Everyone is non-judgemental. It’s very supportive and the staff in the cardiac clinic are fantastic. It has been a huge help for me.”

According to Karina’s cardiologist, only 12 per cent of people who have her type of cardiac event survives.

“You just don’t know who it’s going to impact,” she said. “You could be the healthiest, fittest person in the world one minute, then your life is completely changed the next.”

Gippsland Southern Health Service’s (GSHS) cardiac rehabilitation program is recommended for anyone who has had a heart attack, stent procedure, or cardiac surgery including pacemaker insertion.

People with questions about this service can contact GSHS cardiac rehabilitation coordinator Kathryn Croatto on 5654 2718.