Hospital nurse who had heart attack at work signs up for charity bike ride

By Pamela McGowan Health reporter

Last updated at 11:30, Tuesday, 10 July 2012

A nurse who was left needing medical care after having a heart attack at work has signed up to take part in a charity bike ride.

Stephen Riley

Stephen Riley, 46, a charge nurse at Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital, woke up on a Friday morning in January feeling ill.

However he still made his way into work at the theatres at the hospital.

Within minutes of arriving he felt very unwell. Luckily his colleagues took him straight to A&E where he was given emergency treatment to stabilise his condition.

When he was told he had suffered a heart attack, he was shocked because he was usually fit and well, cycling into work every day.

Stephen spent the weekend in the hospital’s coronary bay before being transferred to the new heart centre at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for an angiogram.

Although the whole experience was extremely worrying, Stephen said he felt reassured and confident in the seamless care he received.

Now on the road to recovery, he is preparing to join the Manchester to Blackpool Night Bike Ride in aid of the British Heart Foundation. He is also back at work and has nothing but praise for the staff who cared for him.

“As a member of staff I see how patients are looked after in a professional and caring manner every day, but to experience that care as a patient is altogether different,” he said.

“The A&E staff are responsible for saving my life and the team on the coronary care unit make me feel proud to be part of the organisation.

“The staff made a frightening and uncertain time bearable.”

Stephen focused on getting himself back to fitness by registering for the charity bike ride while in hospital.

It takes place on September 29, beginning at Manchester’s Trafford Centre at 11pm. Riders then cycle 52 miles up the coast, arriving at Blackpool Tower in time for sunrise.

Blackpool council has agreed to leave the illuminations on for their arrival.

First published at 11:31, Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk