UK woman dies for 17 minutes later shares haunting near death experience revealing rare genetic disorder and life saving heart transplant
For 17 harrowing minutes, she was clinically dead, unresponsive despite desperate resuscitation efforts. What followed was extraordinary—an intense near-death experience, the shocking discovery of the rare Danon disease, repeated heart failures, and ultimately, a life-saving heart transplant. Her journey reveals how silent genetic conditions can strike without warning and how modern medicine can rewrite the course of life.
Victoria's near-death experience after cardiac arrest: 17 minutes without a heartbeat
Victoria had just finished a weightlifting session when she suddenly felt lightheaded and overwhelmingly weak. Within seconds, her body shut down and she collapsed. Emergency responders arrived quickly and began CPR, fighting against the clock as brain damage becomes likely after just 4–6 minutes without oxygen. Victoria's heart did not beat on its own for 17 minutes, pushing her survival chances close to zero.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Yet, defibrillation and advanced resuscitation saved her life, though her body and mind would never be the same again.
As reported, while clinically dead, Victoria reported what many describe as a near-death experience (NDE). She recalled 'hovering above her own body,' watching paramedics attempt to revive her as gym-goers stood in shock. Unlike common NDE reports of peaceful lights or warm sensations, she described an eerie stillness and the surreal image of her lifeless form surrounded by yellow gym equipment.
This profound moment stayed with her, reshaping how she views mortality and life's fragility.
Rare genetic disorder
behind Victoria's repeated cardiac arrests revealed
Following her revival, Victoria was placed in a coma for three days. Upon regaining consciousness, doctors ran extensive tests and diagnosed her with Danon disease—a rare genetic disorder that attacks the heart, skeletal muscles, and sometimes the eyes. For Victoria, it meant repeated cardiac arrests and a weakened heart that was unable to handle physical or emotional stress.
Her case highlighted how silent genetic diseases can remain hidden until catastrophic events occur.
From heart failure to hope: How a transplant gave Victoria a second chance
In 2021, Victoria's life took another unexpected turn—she became pregnant. But pregnancy placed immense strain on her already failing heart, leading to multiple arrests and an emergency C-section at 30 weeks to save both mother and child. Her son, Tommy, was born prematurely but tested negative for Danon disease, a relief amidst chaos.
However, Victoria's heart function had deteriorated to just 11%, classifying her condition as end-stage heart failure, a terminal state where transplantation is often the only option.
Doctors warned Victoria she had only months to live without a transplant. In April 2023, she received the call that a donor heart was available. The complex surgery saved her life and allowed her to return home to care for her son. Today, Victoria is using her story to raise awareness about rare genetic diseases, CPR training, and the importance of organ donation.
Her life is a testament to resilience and the extraordinary power of medical science.
Understanding Danon disease
Danon disease is a rare inherited genetic disorder affecting mainly the heart, muscles, eyes, and brain. It occurs due to mutations in the LAMP2 gene, leading to faulty cell waste processing, which causes toxic buildup and organ damage.
Key symptoms of Danon disease
Heart problems (cardiomyopathy): chest pain, palpitations, fatigue.
Muscle weakness (myopathy): difficulty walking or sitting.
Eye issues (retinopathy): blurred vision, floaters.
Intellectual disabilities: behavioral or learning delays (more common in males).
Gender impact
Males: symptoms appear early, progress rapidly, and are often severe.
Females: symptoms are mild, appear later, or may not develop.
Also Read |
Magnesium may protect you from kidney stones and chronic diseases
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Air India starts online yoga for stressed crew members; pilots say address real issues
NEW DELHI: Air India has begun conducting 'online yoga' classes for its crew members, including pilots who have been under severe psychological stress post the June 12 Ahmedabad crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had soon after that accident directed major Indian carriers to hold post trauma mental health workshop for their flight crew. AI had reported a 'minor increase' in sick leaves by pilots after AI 171 crash, with 112 reporting sick on June 16. In a recent mail to crew members, AI's safety head Captain Henry Donohoe said: '(AI's wellness app) offers a comprehensive suite of physical and emotional well-being support programmes. These include professional counselling sessions, online yoga classes, guided care circles and reflection sessions. In addition, we encourage you to explore self-care app which provides a wide range of mental health resources, including personalised plans and sessions tailored to individual needs. ' While the same may be aimed at improving crew members' mental wellbeing, large number of AI pilots say the airline needs to take 'concrete steps if it is indeed serious' about the same. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'First of all, AI should revert to printed rosters being emailed to crew members as that allowed them to plan their lives. Now rostering (who will operate which flight when) is on an app which changes constantly. We can't plan our life as we are constantly at the beck and call of the airline. This should immediately change,' said multiple pilots. With rosters on the app, crew members say they have no way to prove that the app earlier had a different flight marked for them which has now been changed. Refusing to operate as per the constantly being updated app-based rostering has consequences. This despite the fact that DGCA after the Ahmedabad crash had directed major airlines 'not to push' crew to come to work if they are not feeling upto it to operate a flight. The reason: Mental health affects physical health, which in turn affects the ability to operate flights safely. In fact, a majority of DGCA notices to AI have been regarding crew scheduling by the airline. AI pilots want weekly off to be given once a week instead of being given after 168 hours or on the eighth day. 'There is no emotional quotient in AI as of now. Everything is app and mail-based. Even for online yoga, there's an app. The stress level is very high in the airline and there's no real support at this difficult time,' said pilots. 'AI has been putting crew members on standby duty whenever it wants, thereby inducing more stress among pilots even though there are required number of standby crew when the flight programme is published. Then there are continuing pay issues with the fix pay being reduced to 40 hours from 70 earlier by only one of them. Our weekly offs are not printed on the rosters. As it is this was causing both mental and financial stress among pilots. The crash has made things even worse,' they said. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . Discover stories of India's leading eco-innovators at Ecopreneur Honours 2025
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Task force revokes PNDT powers of CMOs in five Haryana districts amid decline in sex ratio
G urgaon: The state govt on Tuesday stripped chief medical officers (CMOs) of five districts of powers under the pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques (PNDT) Act. The order was issued because the five districts – Ambala, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Palwal and Sirsa -- showed a decline of around 30 points in sex-ratio at birth (SRB) compared to last year, according to the state's own assessment. Special state squads comprising HCS (Haryana Civil Services) and senior officers will monitor corrective steps in these areas. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon CMOs are the main authority to enforce PNDT Act in districts. Their responsibilities include registering and regulating clinics that offer ultrasound procedures, genetic counselling and diagnostic services. They are empowered to conduct inspections and raids at ultrasound centres, suspend or cancel the licences of violators, initiate legal proceedings against doctors or clinics involved in sex-selective abortions, and ensure compliance with mandatory documentation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indian NRIs Are Getting Eligible For INR 2 Lakh Monthly Pension On Retirement. Invest 18K/M Get Offer Undo "… all powers of chief medical officers (CMOs) of these 5 districts under the PNDT Act be withdrawn and given to CMOs of neighbouring districts to improve the sex ratio," read the order issued by additional chief secretary (health Sudhir Rajpal) after a meeting of the state task force (STF) formed earlier this year to improve Haryana's SRB. At the meeting in Chandigarh, the STF also observed improvements in SRB by 15 districts because of consistent raids and operations to stop illegal abortions and female foeticides. These are Faridabad, Gurgaon, Jhajjar, Jind, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Mahendergarh, Nuh, Panchkula, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak, Sonipat, Yamunanagar and Fatehabad There weren't any major changes observed in Hisar and Karnal. Rajpal on Tuesday said cases will be registered for negligence against nodal officers, who failed to improve SRB levels at the five poor performing districts. He said licences of medical centres and hospitals found indulging in illegal practices should be revoked too. "The centres carrying out illegal abortions in the garb of Dilation and Curettage (D&C) procedure should also be identified and action be taken against them," he said. Govt crackdown was ordered after Haryana recorded a decline in sex-ratio at birth (SRB). In 2024, the state's average SRB – the count of number of girls born to 1,000 boys – fell to 910, the lowest since 2016. Since the STF was formed this year, Haryana has filed 19 FIRs in suspected cases of sex-selective abortions flagged through reverse tracking, a process that reviews abortions carried out after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Similarly, action has been initiated against 10 officials for failure to act on complaints related to sex determination.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
HC takes stock of Mahaprayan scheme at SCB
Cuttack: Orissa high court took stock of the ailing Mahaprayan scheme at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH), Cuttack, following media reports that both designated vehicles for transporting bodies had become non-functional forcing grieving families to depend on costly private options. Launched by the Odisha govt to provide free and dignified transportation of the dead from govt hospitals, the Mahaprayan scheme was aimed at helping economically weaker sections. However, the scheme's execution at SCBMCH has drawn criticism for its poor upkeep and delayed response. A division bench of Justice S K Sahoo and Justice V Narasingh reviewed the matter on July 25, following reports that the two Mahaprayan vehicles operated by the Red Cross were allegedly lying defunct — one damaged in an accident and the other abandoned. The report highlighted that, in the absence of these vehicles, families were forced to transport bodies on trolley rickshaws or hire private ambulances at high rates. Prof. Dr. Goutam Satapathy, superintendent of SCBMCH, appeared in the virtual mode in the court and submitted a status report. According to the report, one vehicle was damaged in an accident on Nov 29, 2024. The repair estimate was received on Dec 30, 2024, and subsequently certified by the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The hospital requested funds from the emergency officer, Cuttack, on Jan 17, 2025, and the general administration & public grievance (GA & PG) department sanctioned the amount from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF). The vehicle is currently under repair and expected to be operational soon. The second vehicle remained in service until July 16, 2025, before requiring replacement of four tyres and the battery after logging over 1.1 lakh km. On July 11, 2025, the emergency officer was requested to replace the necessary parts in consultation with the regional transport office (RTO), Cuttack. The replacements have since been made, and the vehicle is now back in operation. Taking the developments on record, the bench closed the hearing but not before underlining the need for regular maintenance and timely intervention to ensure uninterrupted services under the Mahaprayan scheme.
