22 year old from Derry "lucky to be alive" after heart restarted seven times

22-year-old Derry woman Aoife Boyle was having lunch with friends last month in Derry when she suddenly collapsed.

Her friend, who is a nurse, put Aoife in the recovery position and performed CPR until help arrived after she went into cardiac arrest.

Aoife's heart subsequently had to be restarted seven times after suffering a total of seven cardiac arrests over 11 days.

Aoife, who works as a civil servant, spent seven weeks in three different hospitals, two in Northern Ireland and one in England.

Aoife was transferred from Altnagelvin in Derry to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast before later being airlifted to England to the specialist Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Aoife, from Eglinton, was told she may have caught a virus resulting in inflammation and excess fluid around her heart.

Aoife returned home last week wearing a defibrillator vest and awaiting further tests as she continues her recovery.

Aoife was in good spirits as she returned home to Derry surrounded by loved ones.

She wrote: "I am finally home after a long seven weeks. I can’t thank the three hospitals enough for everything - Altnagelvin, the Royal and Freemans in Newcastle.

"From taking seven cardiac arrests, being told my heart was at 10% working function and things weren’t looking good to the heart slowly starting to improve and not needing a heart transplant.

"I am a lucky lucky girl to get this far- Daddy was definitely looking over me."

Aoife thanked her beloved mum, who she describes as her "angel on earth," as well as thanking all her family and friends for their incredible support.

Aoife added: "A massive thank you to everyone for the messages and support through one of the most difficult times. I’ll be forever grateful. Still a long road ahead but slow and steady wins the race."