Woman given 2% chance of survival thanks Watford ICU for saving her life
Karen Faith's astonishing recovery after a complex heart surgery
A Northwood woman who defied a 2% survival chance after a major heart attack is thanking Watford General Hospital's cardiology team for saving her life.
Karen Faith, 74, was in remission from cancer when she suffered the heart attack at home, later discovered to have been caused by a blocked artery which had formed a hole in the wall of her heart.
After managing her critically low blood pressure with a heart pump and providing dialysis for kidney failure, the intensive care unit (ICU) team got her fit enough to undergo specialist heart surgery at Hammersmith Hospital.
The ICU staff also supported her emotionally and reserved her favourite snacks to comfort her during the two-week stabilisation period.
Karen said: “The nurses and doctors gave me the will to live. I’m here now because of that team. They couldn’t have done more. They saved my life.”
Her husband, Mark Faith, added, “The experience was made bearable by the positivity, professionalism and sheer humanity that we experienced in ICU. There is no doubt about it, Watford ICU saved Karen’s life.”
Karen has since returned to Watford General Hospital to thank the ICU Senior Sister Merlyn Chander and the team, who shared how fulfilling it is to see patients recover successfully.
Karen is now back home, enjoying life with her family.