A GRANDFATHER whose mild chest pains suddenly turned into a cardiac arrest has issued an appeal to track down the paramedic who saved his life.

Gary Brignell, 52, was at home with wife Jen, when he began to experience light chest pains. Thinking it was heartburn Mr Brignell, an administrator, took some antacid and thought nothing of it, even when the pain began to spread down his left arm.

Mrs Brignell, of Oak Road, Rivenhall End, said: “I rang the NHS non-emergency number who spoke to him and they said they would send someone out just to check on him.

“Within five minutes the paramedic was here having a laugh and a joke with Gary, who looked in full health. The guy even thought his machine was faulty because it wasn’t giving out the right readings and they were going to take him to hospital to do some blood tests. He wasn’t concerned because Gary didn’t look ill and they were having a laugh, then suddenly he said he felt light-headed and went into full cardiac arrest.

“The next thing I know he was asking me to help him get him on the floor. I didn’t know what to think, this guy just starts pumping his chest like mad.”

The emergency medical technician, who was equipped with a defibrillator, called for help and shocked Gary twice, which resuscitated him.

Mr Brignell was stabilised before being taken to a specialist cardiology unit at Basildon Hospital on October 5.

He is now recovering at home, in time to meet his second grandson, due tomorrow.

Mr Brignell said: “I felt really calm the whole time, it was only after the second cardiac arrest that a bit of panic set in. I must have been having a heart attack when he was here, which is why the machine was wrong. He could have said don’t worry about it and I would’ve gone to bed, had a heart attack in my sleep and not woken up.

“I do remember the guy, he was with me all the time, when I came to I knew he was with me, I remember grabbing his arm.

“I was really fortunate, he was fantastic and brilliant, I just want to shake his hand and thank him – he saved my life.

The couple, who have five children and one grandson between them, hope to be reunited with the paramedic.

Mrs Brignell said: “If it had not been for the fact that the paramedic was there Gary would not have survived, he has made a huge difference to our lives.

“You hear all sorts about the NHS, but if it wasn’t for them my husband would not be here now.”