Fit and healthy dog groomer, 22, dies for seven minutes after cardiac arrest - thanks to stress of job

Courtney Stocks was at home on November 16th last year when her parents came round for a visit.

The 22-year-old went outside to her back garden when she suddenly collapsed onto the ground.

Realising his daughter was suffering a medical emergency, Courtney's dad Chris Watchorn, 40, began performing CPR. Courtney's heart stopped for an agonising seven minutes before paramedics intervened and rushed her to Royal Derby Hospital.

After three days in intensive care, Courtney was told she had been born with the heart condition known as mitral annular disjunction (MAD) - a structural abnormality of the heart that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Courtney, who has no underlying health issues, had been experiencing heart palpitations and light-headedness in the weeks leading up to her hospitalisation but dismissed the symptoms as anxiety.

Doctors told Courtney that her cardiac arrest was likely brought on by stress, which she puts down to the pressures of running her own dog-grooming business.

Now, Courtney is urging others not to ignore any concerning symptoms after nearly losing her life last month.

Courtney, who lives in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, said: "It was a normal Sunday. My mum and dad had come around to see me.

"I've been told I was sitting on the sofa talking to my family. My dad went outside to take a phone call. Apparently a couple of minutes later I went outside to follow him, which is when I collapsed in the garden. That's when my dad heard me, came running down the garden and started CPR.

"I completely blacked out, I was gone. I was dead for seven minutes. I was absolutely healthy. I've never had any health issues - I don't smoke, vape or even drink. I walk 20 minutes to work every morning. I do nearly 10,000 steps a day every day.

"I'm a dog-groomer so I have quite a physical, hands-on job. I've had absolutely no health issues in the past. I hadn't been to the doctors since I was eight years old."

Courtney was rushed to hospital and admitted onto the ICU for four days before being moved onto the cardiac ward. After undergoing a number of tests, She was told she had a condition known as mitral annular disjunction and had an implantable defibrillator fitted to prevent further cardiac arrests.

Looking back, Courtney believes she was experiencing symptoms that pointed towards an issue with her heart - and believes work-related stress brought on the cardiac arrest sooner.

Courtney said: "Because I was born with it it was going to happen sooner rather than later but [doctors] did say to me that stress brought it on sooner. I am quite a stressy person. All the little things just got on top of me. It's very stressful at work, I do come home quite a lot stressed. I think it took its toll. Looking back, I did have heart palpitations every now and again but I just put that down to anxiety, but that obviously was a sign.

"I also used to get quite light-headed and dizzy, especially in the shower, and had to put the cold shower on. I just assumed it was nothing but it might've been a sign. It was happening more often leading up to when it happened."

Now, Courtney is urging others not to ignore their own symptoms after nearly losing her life.

She said: "I never would've assumed it was something so serious. I wouldn't be here without my dad. I would've died. If you have any signs that you think something could be wrong, just don't brush it off, even if you're the fittest, healthiest person."

Courtney's partner Ellie Powers, 22, has launched a fundraising page to help cover Courtney's living expenses while off work.

To make a donation, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/courtney-get-back-on-her-feet-after-a-cardiac-arrest