SCARS: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Recovery Support
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Recovery Support (SCARS) gives support to anyone in Devon who has been affected by sudden cardiac arrest.
This can include the individual whose heart stopped, their family or other loved ones, and anyone involved with trying to save a life by giving CPR.
What is a cardiac arrest? Do you mean a heart attack?
A cardiac arrest is a medical emergency where a patient’s heart stops beating normally, stopping the flow of blood to the brain and other vital organs. Untreated, it leads to death within minutes. The patient will become quickly unconscious and will not be breathing normally.
A heart attack is different – this is a specific emergency where the supply of blood to part of the heart is blocked. Part of the heart begins to die, unless the blocked artery can be opened. Patients experiencing a heart attack will usually (but not always) be awake, and experience pain or tightness in their chest, back, arms or jaw.
A heart attack can cause a cardiac arrest, but not all cardiac arrests are because of a heart attack.
What does SCARS do?
We offer support and care to those affected by sudden cardiac arrest.
Where someone has not survived we can support those who have tried to help, including family, colleagues, or complete strangers, understand what happened.
Where a person survives a cardiac arrest our team will meet them and their ‘co-survivors’ in hospital where possible, and offer a point of contact when they are ready to return home. We conduct follow up throughout the next year, and facilitate peer support groups where people can share their experiences with others who have been through similar events. Our team can help explain what has happened and support you back to recovery, as well as signposting or referring you on for physical therapies, mental health support, medical advice, or other professional services.
How do I get in touch?
Please contact the service by emailing rduh.scarseastern@nhs.net, or calling 07741 177968. Please note this is not an emergency number and is only available in office hours. You may need to leave a message and we will return your call.
How else can I get help?
If you need urgent mental health support please call 111 and select the ‘mental health’ option, or call The Moorings on 0800 4700317. You can also use the 111 app. There are online links here: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/i-need-help-now
If you want to talk to someone about anxiety, low mood or depression, flashbacks, anger, or other concerns which are not an emergency you can contact Talkworks on 0300 555 33 44, or via their online form here: https://www.talkworks.dpt.nhs.uk/get-in-touch
For general advice after cardiac arrest, and to contact other survivors and those affected by cardiac arrest, we recommend Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK: https://suddencardiacarrestuk.org/
For information about heart conditions, please see the British Heart Foundation website https://www.bhf.org.uk/
Some survivors of cardiac arrest remain affected by the injury to the brain caused by the time without oxygen. If you would like information or support due to problems following brain injury, Headway have considerable information and support via their website: www.headway.org.uk