The first signs that something was wrong

Andrea had fainted occasionally in the past and had always assumed it was linked to low blood pressure, having previously experienced anaemia and knowing fainting ran in her family.

However, in November 2022, things escalated. During the night, Andrea got up to go to the bathroom and on her return to bed suddenly collapsed. “It went black and the next thing I knew I was face down on the carpet,” she says. She had injured her face badly and was taken by ambulance to her local hospital.

Although scans were performed and immediate concerns ruled out, Andrea left the hospital without a clear explanation. The experience was unsettling, especially as Andrea has a fear of hospitals and previous family experiences with illness.

Living with uncertainty

Over the following months, Andrea underwent further tests and scans that ruled out serious neurological causes. However, no clear reason for her blackouts emerged.

Then, in March 2024, Andrea fainted and fell to the ground while out for the day in St Albans. “The people of St Albans that day were amazing,” she says. “Two police officers saw it happen and came straight over.” Despite their concern, Andrea was adamant she did not want to return to hospital after her previous experience. But the incident left her shaken. “I just knew something wasn’t right,” she says.

Seeking private healthcare

During her retail career, Andrea had private medical insurance as part of her benefits package, something she continued after her retirement as an individual. She contacted her private medical insurer and was able to see a cardiologist quickly. He carried out extensive tests and reassured her that her heart itself was healthy.

But rather than dismissing her symptoms, he took them seriously. “He could have just said, ‘You’re perfectly healthy… off you go,’” Andrea explains. “But he didn’t.” Concerned about the ongoing blackouts, the consultant advised Andrea to stop driving temporarily and referred her to specialist electrophysiologist Dr Jonathan Behar at London Bridge Hospital for further investigation.

Reaching a clear diagnosis

In June 2024, Andrea had a loop recorder fitted to monitor her heart rhythm. The procedure and follow-up were overseen by Dr Behar. She then returned to her previous hospital six weeks later for a review.

For Andrea, the device brought reassurance that something concrete was finally being done. “This tiny little thing,” she says, “just tells us that if it happens again, at least we’ve got some information about what’s actually happening in my body.”

It was through the loop recorder that doctors identified that Andrea had episodes of a slow heartbeat, providing the clarity that had previously been missing. Based on these findings, Andrea was advised that she needed a pacemaker to prevent further dangerous blackouts.

“I didn’t want to be walking down a hill thinking, ‘Am I going to black out and hit concrete next time?’” she says.

Benefiting from an HCA UK first

A traditional pacemaker is made up of a battery and a small computer that sits under the collarbone, near the shoulder. This is attached to leads that go into the heart. However, there can be longer-term complications associated with these including problems with the leads and infections. This is particularly relevant for younger patients who’ll have the devices in place for many years.

As such, Dr Behar suggested the option of a leadless pacemaker. Inserted directly into the heart, it avoids the need for a traditional pacemaker box and leads in the chest. The leads, battery and computer are miniaturised into one small device, similar in size to a AAA battery.

Andrea went on to receive HCA UK’s first Abbott leadless pacemaker at London Bridge Hospital. Despite feeling anxious, she was reassured by the team, who took time to explain everything clearly and calmly.

“They explained everything to my partner, Richard, and me and made me feel at ease,” she says. “The anaesthetist was lovely. She made me feel safe.”

In the theatre, Andrea remembers being constantly checked on. “Are you warm enough? Are you okay?” she recalls. When she woke afterwards, she was shown the pacemaker. “I remember thinking, ‘My God, is that my pacemaker?’ It was so small. I just thought how lucky I was.”

Feeling like herself again

Since the procedure, Andrea has not experienced any further blackouts. Minor side effects resolved quickly, and she can now drive again.

Speaking about her life post-treatment, Andrea says, “It’s been amazing… I feel much more confident. I have never felt better.” Looking back, Andrea feels grateful that her doctors continued to push for answers. “I’m eternally grateful to Dr Behar and the team at London Bridge Hospital,” she says. “It could have been a very different outcome. They may have saved my life.”

These days, life looks very different. Andrea spends her time line dancing, practising Tai Chi, volunteering in a local bookshop and getting involved at St Albans Cathedral.

She and Richard travel regularly, especially to Greece, and divide their time between Hertfordshire and their much-loved home in Norfolk, enjoying life with renewed confidence and peace of mind.

Find out more about our leadless pacemakers and our private cardiac care services. If you're concerned about your cardiac health, call us to book an appointment with a cardiologist in as little as 24 hours.