In a remarkable medical journey that defied d:eath, Victoria Thomas, a British fitness enthusiast, shares her chilling near-d:eath experience after her heart stopped beating for a staggering 17 minutes. What followed was not only a glimpse beyond life - but also the discovery of a rare genetic condition that forever altered her fate.

What Happened to Victoria?

At age 35, Victoria was in the middle of a bootcamp-style workout session in Gloucester when she suddenly felt completely drained. "I said to my friend that I didn’t feel like I had any power or energy, like it had just drained from my body. I was also feeling slightly dizzy." Without warning, she collapsed to the floor. Emergency crews arrived swiftly and performed CPR - but for 17 agonizing minutes, no heartbeat could be found.

Miraculously, paramedics managed to restore her heartbeat. She was rushed to Bristol Royal Infirmary, placed in a medically induced coma for three days, and later fitted with an implantable cardioverter‑defibrillator (ICD) to avert future cardiac arrests.

Victoria was d:ead for 17 minutes but went on to have miracle baby and a new heart

Out-of-Body Experience: What She Saw

What Victoria recounts from those harrowing minutes has fueled fascination - and debate.

She describes the sensation vividly:

• “When it happened, it went black and there was nothing,” she recalled.
• “Then I became aware of looking down on my body. I was floating near the roof, looking down at myself on the gym floor.”
• She didn’t see heavenly lights, feel peace, or enter any tunnel. Instead, “I could see some yellow machines around me” - gym equipment from her vantage point above.

She even noticed that her legs appeared swollen - something later confirmed by a photograph taken just before her collapse.

The Diagnosis: Danon Disease Emerges

Over the months following her recovery, Victoria’s heart continued to falter. Her ICD activated multiple times, especially during her pregnancy in 2021, when carrying her son placed additional strain on her heart.

At 24 weeks pregnant, doctors diagnosed her with Danon disease, a rare X‑linked dominant genetic disorder caused by mutations in the LAMP2 gene. This defect leads to abnormal storage of glycogen in cells, affecting the heart, muscles, retina, and brain - and often results in cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac d:eath.

As a female patient, Victoria’s disease manifested later and less aggressively than in males, yet still posed significant threats. By 2022, her heart function had dropped to just 11%, indicating severe heart failure. She ultimately underwent a life-saving heart transplant - a procedure that has allowed her to continue living and caring for her young son.

Victoria with newborn baby Tommy in October

Understanding Danon Disease

Danon disease is extremely rare, affecting fewer than one million people globally. Although more severe in males - who typically present with early-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and neurodevelopmental issues - affected females also face risks of arrhythmia and heart failure, sometimes leading to sudden d:eath between ages 37 and 54.  

Diagnosis often relies on genetic testing and advanced cardiac imaging, including cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to detect structural changes like late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), myocardial fibrosis, or left ventricular hypertrophy. ICD implantation and, ultimately, heart transplantation are key treatment options.  

Why Victoria’s Story Resonates

This case resonates on multiple levels:

👉 Medical marvel: She survived despite 17 minutes of cardiac arrest - far exceeding the critical window for brain injury.

👉 Near‑d:eath insight: Her out-of-body experience was detailed, grounded, and devoid of spiritual cliché.

👉 Genetic revelation: Her underlying Danon disease was unknown until her crisis, illustrating how hidden genetic disorders can go undetected in seemingly healthy individuals.

👉 Triumph through modern medicine: From emergency rescue efforts to ICD use and transplantation, her survival showcases advances in cardiac care.

Victoria herself expressed gratitude: “They never gave up on me... I was so young, fit and healthy and it had come completely out of the blue.”  

Victoria with son Tommy

The Science Behind Near-d:eath Experiences (NDEs)

Victoria’s floating sensation above her body aligns with classical out-of-body experiences (OBEs), a reported feature of many near-d:eath experiences:

• Sensory disconnection as circulation and cortical brain activity decline
• Brain regions associated with body image and awareness may produce disembodied self-observations
• Visual memories of surroundings (e.g. “yellow machines”) may stem from residual sensory processing or reconnection during resuscitation

Critics argue these experiences are illusions generated by the brain under extreme stress - but Victoria’s vivid account adds weight to ongoing exploration in neuroscience and human consciousness.

Recovery & Life After: Pregnancy, Motherhood, and Strength

Despite multiple cardiac arrests after her gym collapse, Victoria went on to give birth to her son Tommy via emergency C-section at 30 weeks - choosing to delay delivery despite medical advice at 24 weeks. She later underwent heart transplant surgery, and credits her ICD for saving her life on numerous occasions post-transplant  

Today, age 41, she lives actively - as a mother, athlete, and advocate - her life transformed by a combination of cutting-edge medicine and extraordinary medical resilience.

Broader Implications & Lessons

Genetic screening matters

Especially for young adults with unexplained cardiomyopathy or arrhythmia, testing for LAMP2 mutations can be life-saving.

Early intervention saves lives

CMR imaging, ICD placement, and timely heart transplantation are essential in Danon disease management

Near-d:eath experiences are real - and insightful

First-hand accounts like Victoria’s bring scientific attention to how consciousness operates under critical conditions

Modern medicine is powerful

Surviving extended cardiac arrest followed by successful transplantation illuminates what’s possible with coordinated emergency and surgical care.

Final Thoughts: Between Life and d:eath

Victoria’s story transcends the ordinary - she experienced clinical d:eath, returned with clarity, and then learned of a rare genetic disease that nearly killed her again. Yet today, she thrives.

Her words encapsulate gratitude and awe: “They never gave up on me… I was so young, fit and healthy and it had come completely out of the blue

Her journey is a testament to medical technology, human perseverance, and the mysterious boundary that separates life and d:eath.