Social and practical support

Social Support

Peer support has been recognised as being hugely beneficial for those who have survived out of hospital cardiac arrest.

A number of regional cardiac peer support groups are available in Scotland. Information on these can be obtained from the Chest Heart & Stroke Advice Line Nurses:

• Freephone: 0808 801 0899
• Email: [email protected]
• Text: NURSE to 66777

Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK offers peer support for those affected by cardiac arrest:

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK

Life After Cardiac Arrest – although an American site, this online support group contains a great deal of information for cardiac arrest survivors; the family/significant others of survivors; and responders:

• Life After SCA: Resources for survivors

Practical Support

Work

Edward is an architect and owns his own practice, employing ten other people. He is keen to return to work as soon as possible following his discharge. A large percentage of those who survive an OHCA for 30 days or more return to employment.

Working Health Services Scotland provides free and confidential advice and health support for the self employed and those working in small companies.

• NHS Health Scotland: Healthy Working Lives

Useful general cardiac related information on returning to work can be found at:

• CHSS: Heart conditions: How to cope with returning to work
• BHF: Returning to work with a heart condition
• Healthy Work: Heart conditions and returning to work

Driving

Edward and Fiona live a few miles out of the city and are dependent on their cars for transport. Although Fiona is happy to drive Edward while he recovers, he is keen to be independent before he returns to work, as he often has to travel on site visits as part of his job.

General advice on driving after a cardiac arrest can be found at:

• Gov.uk: Cardiac problems and driving
• BHF: Driving with a heart condition

The following is an informative blog written by cardiac arrest survivors:

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Cardiac arrest, ICD and your driving licence

Insurance

Life, motor and travel insurance can all be affected by the fact that someone has had an OHCA. The web sites below offer information on insurance companies who may be sympathetic to survivors but these frequently change. Edward found doing a search on a website that compared rates very helpful in finding the most preferential rates.

• CHSS: Living with your chest condition: Insurance
• BHF: Living with a heart condition: Money issues and claiming benefits

Page last reviewed: 09 Oct 2020