Heart Attack Survivor Reunites with Team That Saved His Life

Matthew Allick, a 42-year-old father-of-two from Romford, experienced a life-altering event in August 2023 when he suffered a massive heart attack due to a pulmonary embolism. After being declared clinically dead for approximately ten minutes, he has since made a remarkable recovery and recently reunited with the medical team that saved his life at Hammersmith Hospital.

Life-Threatening Condition Revealed

Allick’s journey began with symptoms that included shortness of breath and swollen feet. Upon arrival at the hospital, he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. Medics utilized a defibrillator and performed CPR, which resulted in internal bleeding, but ultimately revived him. He spent three days in a coma, which he described as akin to “a peaceful sleep.” In a surprising revelation, doctors informed him that 85% of his body was filled with blood clots, some as large as a cricket ball, prompting multiple surgical interventions to clear them.

During his emotional return to the hospital, Allick met around 20 members of the healthcare team who played pivotal roles in his recovery. He expressed his gratitude by stating, “It was really overwhelming to see how many people were involved in saving my life. The biggest takeaway was how hard the doctors and nurses work. I don’t think it is recognized enough that they actually do save lives.” His reunion with the staff included a heartfelt moment with Dr. Behrad Baharlo, a consultant in intensive care medicine, who remembered Allick’s case well.

A New Lease on Life

Following his near-fatal incident, Allick faced a challenging year, marked by personal struggles such as a relationship breakdown and financial difficulties. Nevertheless, he found inspiration in his survival and has since embraced new opportunities. He has appeared in several acting roles, including a feature in an episode of EastEnders and a commercial for the Postcode Lottery. Additionally, Allick is now a motivational speaker, collaborating with the NHS Blood and Transplant organization to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation, attributing his survival to seven life-saving blood transfusions.

Reflecting on his experience, Allick remarked, “To be sad all the time after they brought me back to life would be doing them an injustice. I need to make the most of life because of them. My success story is really down to them.” His renewed perspective on life drives him to motivate others, emphasizing the importance of blood donation as a means of giving patients like him a second chance.

Dr. Baharlo highlighted the collaborative efforts of the medical team, stating, “It was a huge team effort and a reminder of the power of the NHS. We rely on having good levels of blood stocks to treat people like Matthew, and it’s brilliant that he’s now trying to help other patients by raising awareness of this.” Allick’s story serves as a powerful testament to the impact of blood donation and the dedication of healthcare professionals.

As Allick continues to share his journey, he hopes to inspire others to contribute to blood donation efforts, ensuring that more lives can be saved in the future. His message is clear: every donation truly makes a difference.