A YATE woman has thanked a charity air ambulance crew for their “absolutely outstanding” work after they delivered critical care in her home.

Myra Sweatman, 47, received care from the Great Western Air Ambulance charity team on Tuesday, January 20 after experiencing abnormal heart rhythms.

Mrs Sweatman’s heart rate was very high at 240 beats per minute, with most adults’ resting heart rate being between 60-100 beats per minute.

The ambulance helicopter was called to her home on Rectory Close at 10am where an ambulance crew were was already on the scene.

The helicopter was requested to attend as they needed additional medical assistance, and the team provided critical care before Mrs Sweatman was taken to Southmead hospital by a road ambulance.

It took around five minutes for the helicopter to fly to Yate from the charity’s base in Filton.

Mrs Sweatman, who has been an exams officer at Brimsham Green School for nearly 10 years, said: “The care I received from the paramedics and the doctors onboard the helicopter was second to none, absolutely outstanding.

“I had a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and my heart rate was 240, the first paramedic came on his motorbike and had responded to my 111 call.

“I am never ill and thought I was just having a funny turn and he was a little surprised I think that I was so bad and called for an ambulance crew.

“At some point the helicopter was called but it all became a bit of a blur for me.

“I called my dear friend Lisa after calling 111 and she came to my side within minutes. She called my husband -he’s a tree surgeon and was up a tree- who came as quick as he could.

“I can’t thank enough all the people that helped then me that day and whilst I was in hospital, the care was exceptional.”

SVT is the name given to an abnormality of heart rhythm, characterised by a fast heartbeat, where the person usually feels their heart start racing and going very fast, then stop or slow down abruptly.

Mrs Sweatman stayed at Southmead for two nights and returned home late on the third evening.

She added: “They have no idea what caused my heart to beat at 240 beats per minute, main causes are generally stress, caffeine, smoking or drinking but I've been caffeine free for over a year now, don't drink and have never smoked."

“I still need to have more tests and hopefully they will get to the bottom of it.”

The air ambulance team consisted of a pilot, a critical care paramedic and a critical care doctor who were called to attend the incident, landing on a green outside Mrs Sweatman’s home.

The critical care doctor can provide more drugs than a road paramedic, who needed to give Mrs Sweatman strong enough drugs to bring her very high heart rate back to a normal level.

She said: “Throughout it all I remember my dear friend Lisa squeezing my hand, my dear hubby telling me I would be fine and a paramedic from the ambulance constantly talking calmly to me, reassuring me and stroking my cheek.

“I know everyone else was working frantically on me, and I am so grateful to them all.

“The level of care was superb and they could not have done more for me. The lone paramedic was fantastic, had a lovely nature and was very professional and the ambulance crew were fast acting and on the ball.

“My husband and I will be donating to the air ambulance charity. Without their help things could have been a lot worse for me.”

Critical care paramedic Mike Page, who attended the incident, said: “It is lovely that we were able to go to a very unwell person, and make them well again.

“I am pleased that Myra has recovered, and that we were able to help her.”

To find out about the charity visit greatwesternairambulance.com for more information.