Michael said: “Even though I teach first aid, the signs that I was having a heart attack really weren’t obvious. Thank you really isn’t enough.”

When they arrived at his home, dispatch team leader Olivia and colleagues Tyler and Jo carried out an electrocardiogram (ECG), which confirmed he was having a heart attack. He was then taken to hospital, with the crew supporting him through a critical stage of his condition during the journey.

At William Harvey Hospital, Michael underwent emergency surgery to treat a blocked artery caused by an arterial dissection — a condition in which a tear develops in the inner lining of an artery, allowing blood to separate the layers of the vessel wall.

After spending four days in hospital, he returned home to continue his recovery.

Since then, Michael has visited Secamb’s Thanet Make Ready Centre to personally thank the ambulance crew who cared for him.

Paramedic Jo said: “Heart attacks can present in unexpected ways, even for people with medical knowledge. We’re incredibly pleased to see him doing so well, and moments like this are why we do the job.”

First aid trainer thanks Secamb paramedics after heart attack - BBC News