UK woman dies for 17 minutes later shares haunting near death experience revealing rare genetic disorder and life saving heart transplant
For 17 harrowing minutes, she was clinically dead, unresponsive despite desperate resuscitation efforts. What followed was extraordinary—an intense near-death experience, the shocking discovery of the rare Danon disease, repeated heart failures, and ultimately, a life-saving heart transplant. Her journey reveals how silent genetic conditions can strike without warning and how modern medicine can rewrite the course of life.
Victoria's near-death experience after cardiac arrest: 17 minutes without a heartbeat
Victoria had just finished a weightlifting session when she suddenly felt lightheaded and overwhelmingly weak. Within seconds, her body shut down and she collapsed. Emergency responders arrived quickly and began CPR, fighting against the clock as brain damage becomes likely after just 4–6 minutes without oxygen. Victoria's heart did not beat on its own for 17 minutes, pushing her survival chances close to zero.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Yet, defibrillation and advanced resuscitation saved her life, though her body and mind would never be the same again.
As reported, while clinically dead, Victoria reported what many describe as a near-death experience (NDE). She recalled 'hovering above her own body,' watching paramedics attempt to revive her as gym-goers stood in shock. Unlike common NDE reports of peaceful lights or warm sensations, she described an eerie stillness and the surreal image of her lifeless form surrounded by yellow gym equipment.
This profound moment stayed with her, reshaping how she views mortality and life's fragility.
Rare genetic disorder
behind Victoria's repeated cardiac arrests revealed
Following her revival, Victoria was placed in a coma for three days. Upon regaining consciousness, doctors ran extensive tests and diagnosed her with Danon disease—a rare genetic disorder that attacks the heart, skeletal muscles, and sometimes the eyes. For Victoria, it meant repeated cardiac arrests and a weakened heart that was unable to handle physical or emotional stress.
Her case highlighted how silent genetic diseases can remain hidden until catastrophic events occur.
From heart failure to hope: How a transplant gave Victoria a second chance
In 2021, Victoria's life took another unexpected turn—she became pregnant. But pregnancy placed immense strain on her already failing heart, leading to multiple arrests and an emergency C-section at 30 weeks to save both mother and child. Her son, Tommy, was born prematurely but tested negative for Danon disease, a relief amidst chaos.
However, Victoria's heart function had deteriorated to just 11%, classifying her condition as end-stage heart failure, a terminal state where transplantation is often the only option.
Doctors warned Victoria she had only months to live without a transplant. In April 2023, she received the call that a donor heart was available. The complex surgery saved her life and allowed her to return home to care for her son. Today, Victoria is using her story to raise awareness about rare genetic diseases, CPR training, and the importance of organ donation.
Her life is a testament to resilience and the extraordinary power of medical science.
Understanding Danon disease
Danon disease is a rare inherited genetic disorder affecting mainly the heart, muscles, eyes, and brain. It occurs due to mutations in the LAMP2 gene, leading to faulty cell waste processing, which causes toxic buildup and organ damage.
Key symptoms of Danon disease
Heart problems (cardiomyopathy): chest pain, palpitations, fatigue.
Muscle weakness (myopathy): difficulty walking or sitting.
Eye issues (retinopathy): blurred vision, floaters.
Intellectual disabilities: behavioral or learning delays (more common in males).
Gender impact
Males: symptoms appear early, progress rapidly, and are often severe.
Females: symptoms are mild, appear later, or may not develop.
Also Read |
Magnesium may protect you from kidney stones and chronic diseases
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
14 swimmers brave choppy, cold waters of English channel; 4 finish 132km relay in 33hours
Bengaluru: Certain tasks seem unattainable, yet many people throughout history have proved that inner voice wrong. Crossing the English Channel is one of those tasks. A gruelling 33km swim from the coast of England to France was completed by a group of 14, including 12 from the city, with a group of three from Bengaluru completing the rare four-member two-way English Channel relay. The group comprising Manish Jaswal, Dr Santosh Loganathan, Tejas Sati and Avinash Thandani (Mumbai) is all above the age of 40. The quartet swam the gruelling 132km in 33 hours and 3 minutes. One member of the team would swim for some time and then tag a teammate, waiting on the safety boat, which tailed them. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Swimming is my therapy: Psychiatrist at Nimhans Dr Loganathan, a professor of psychiatry, began his swimming journey in 2015 during a fellowship in the US. "I felt rejuvenated, I remembered how I enjoyed sports as a child, and I wanted to continue this. Swimming is my the therapy," he said. His path to swimming the channel was long and started with a curiosity about open water swimming. "I kept building my open water experience and then eventually signed up to swim the channel in 2023," he said. The dedication and training required to complete such a feat can make it challenging to balance professional life and sporting passion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo But Loganathan who practices and teaches at Nimhans managed them well with the support from the institution. "Nimhans has been a great help throughout," he said. Back spasm, nausea didn't deter group The swim itself was not short on challenges. The first leg of the swim from England to the French coast was relatively comfortable for the group, without any trouble from the water. The return leg, however, proved to be trickier with strong currents holding the team in place. The night swim was cold and choppy. They dealt with fatigue, back spasms, and nausea. Jaswal, a corporate employee who has been swimming since childhood, held down the fort through strong currents, putting the team back on course and within touching distance of the English coast. "There are no words to describe the moment," said Dr Loganathan of the feeling of returning to the English coast. All four team members jumped into the water and swam the last 200m together and received a huge round of applause by onlookers as they climbed onto the beach. "This challenge is open for everyone; we want everyone to have this sense of accomplishment. Everyone knows swimming the channel is equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest," said M Satish Kumar, managing director and coach, SwimLife that oversaw the training of the swimmers, fostering a team spirit. "More than 70% of attempts fail," he added. Rana Ghosh, a 50-year-old marketing professional who swam along the channel, exemplified team spirit in his swim as he pushed through an injury. "I had a deep cut on my wrist. I did the swim with tape and stitches because I didn't want to let my fellow swimmers down," he said. - By Aryan Thumboochetty BOX The channel crew Manish Jaswal; Tejas Sati; Rana Ghosh; Kiran Rajagopal; Vishwanatha KC; Nalin Mujumdar; Madhur Gopal; Yajnanarayana Somayaji; Santosh Loganathan; Vrushali Prasade; Danish Abdi; Satish Kumar; Avinash Thadani (Mumbai); and Arunima Bose (Goa).
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
MIND diet explained: Foods that may help lower dementia risk
As the global population ages, the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease continues to rise, prompting increased interest in lifestyle approaches that can help protect brain health. One promising strategy is the MIND diet. Now after hearing the term MIND diet, you might be wondering if it is something related to a mindful diet followed for better health. Yes, to some extent you guessed it correctly. However, what MIND diet really means and which food should we consume to lower the risk of dementia, let's understand. The MIND diet is a brain-boosting eating plan designed to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Combining elements from the Mediterranean and DASH diets, the MIND diet emphasizes foods known for their neuroprotective properties, offering a practical way to nourish the brain and support cognitive longevity. The MIND diet stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. The term DASH here stands for- Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The MIND diet is developed by researchers to specifically target brain health; it takes the heart-healthy components of the Mediterranean diet and the blood pressure-lowering aspects of the DASH diet and adapts them to focus on foods that scientific evidence suggests may slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo The core idea behind the MIND diet is to maximize the intake of foods rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, vitamins, and minerals that protect brain cells from damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation—two major pathways involved in dementia development. Key food intake that can lower risk of dementia in MIND diet includes- 1. Green leafy vegetables and other vegetables Veggies channel out growth signs and health benefits. Include green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, collard greens, and broccoli in your meals frequently—aiming for six or more servings per week. These vegetables contain carotenoids and folate, which support brain function and reduce dementia risk. Next time, you go to buy veggies, don't forget to pay for the leafy ones. Besides leafy greens, eating a variety of non-starchy vegetables daily adds essential nutrients and fibre that support brain health 2. Berries The MIND diet encourages at least two servings of berries per week. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are packed with antioxidants called flavonoids. These compounds help fight oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, potentially slowing cognitive decline. So, remember, berries in your diet could make you memorize things for a long time. 3. Nuts and whole grains Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and their kin offer more than crunch. These nutrient-dense morsels are rich in vitamin E, a defender of brain cell walls, and polyphenols, which may help fend off mental decline. Combine the daily intake of nuts with whole grains. When you opt for oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat bread, the complex carbs in whole grains help you stabilize blood sugar and supply vitamin B in your body which is important for cognitive function. So, aim for three servings daily. 4. Fish and lean poultry The omega-3s in salmon, sardines, trout, and mackerel act as brain 'builders,' constructing flexible cell membranes that are resistant to damage. Just one serving a week is linked with sharper memory and slower mental decline. Remember, even intake of chicken and turkey prove to be beneficial as they are lean protein sources that fit the MIND formula perfectly. Two servings a week offer essential amino acids without the burden of saturated fat found in red meats. 5. Olive oil Food cooked in olive oil is nutritious. More than a salad dressing—olive oil is the MIND diet's default source of fat, prized for its monounsaturated fats that can soothe inflammation and improve vessel health, both crucial for delivering nutrients to your brain. Each of these foods brings something special to the table inclusive of a mix of healthy fats, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals, all working in concert to protect your memory and overall brain function. Your kitchen holds the ingredients for a brighter, sharper future. With its colorful variety, satisfying flavors, and science-backed benefits, the MIND diet offers a simple, delicious way to maintain brain health and reduce the risk of dementia. Small changes, meal by meal, can nourish your mind for many years to come. So, start the intake from today inwards, because no day is better than today to begin with a good habit.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Two specialists each in all taluk hospitals soon: DGR
Mangaluru: The health department plans to ensure that all taluk hospitals across the state will have at least two each of gynaecologists, anaesthetists, and paediatricians. Minister for health and family welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao told reporters on Friday that many hospitals face a shortage of specialists, while some have more postings than the actual requirement. To sort out this issue, the department will begin the process of reallocating doctors. Accordingly, specialists working in hospitals and CHCs with fewer inpatients will be deputed to the taluk hospitals, the minister said. He was speaking at a meeting of the Arogya Raksha Samiti of the Government Wenlock District Hospital on Friday. "When we ensure guaranteed services, people will visit govt hospitals. We want to make this possible in all taluk hospitals in the state," he said. While discussing Wenlock District Hospital, the minister suggested that a master plan needs to be prepared for the comprehensive development of the facility. He directed officials to discuss with the deputy commissioner and experts to prepare a master plan for Wenlock Hospital. The Minister said the govt will sanction funds required for the additional requirements at the Wenlock hospital. "Prepare a detailed plan with an estimate of works to be taken up in the hospital," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo On the proposal to construct a new OPD Complex for the Wenlock hospital, the minister insisted that all necessary preliminary works, including the plan and estimate, should be completed at the earliest. A foundation stone laying ceremony may be conducted during Kannada Rajyotsava celebration on Nov 1, he said. Superintendent of Wenlock hospital, Dr DS Shivaprakash, explained about a month-long celebration to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Wenlock hospital. He said that the Wenlock, Lady Goschen, and KMC old students association are preparing to hold celebrations from Sept 14 to Nov 9, inviting chief minister Siddaramaiah for the valedictory. The minister suggested holding a preliminary meeting with the deputy commissioner regarding the celebrations.
