Mayor Tom Tate’s warning after Ruth’s scary close call
GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate has called for more people to learn the early signs of a heart attack almost two years after saving his wife’s life.
Ruth Tate, then 59, collapsed just moments before boarding a flight to Europe in mid-2017, with Mayor Tate immediately performing lifesaving CPR.
Looking back on it now, he recalls the near loss of his partner of almost 40 years on an airport tarmac as “horrific”.
His call comes as the Gold Coast Bulletin and the Heart Foundation join forces to urge Federal politicians to #ShowSomeTicker and fund a test which estimates the risk of a heart attack.
“After quite some time and repeated defibrillator attempts, the medical team was of the view that we may have lost Ruth,” he said.
“I refused to accept that and urged them to keep trying with the defibrillator. It took seven attempts and we finally felt a slight pulse.
“Only (after several days) did we know she would make a full recovery. I have never felt such an overwhelming sense of relief as I did at that time.”
Now Cr Tate is reminding others to look for the early warning signs that could save a life if spotted.
“Importantly there are some well-documented symptoms to look out for - tightening of the chest, difficulty in breathing, pins and needles running down the side of your body,” he said.
“But a heart attack can be disguised with other symptoms so the best advice is, if in doubt, contact triple-0 immediately.”