The Block’s Courtney has opened up about the terrifying moment her heart rate suddenly spiked to 230 beats per minute while she was filming.
The Brisbane contestant was speaking to tradies on site when she experienced an episode of supraventricular tachycardia, known as SVT.
Although Courtney has experienced the condition before, this particular episode lasted around half an hour and left her struggling to bring her heart rate back down.
When her usual attempts to stop the episode failed, she turned to fellow contestant Lisa, who works as a paramedic and registered nurse.
Speaking exclusively to WHO, Courtney revealed that Lisa’s reassurance helped her regain control and ultimately avoid a trip to hospital.
What happened during Courtney’s SVT episode?
Courtney said the episode began without warning while she was chatting on camera.
“I was on camera at the time, chatting with the guys, and my SVT episode came on,” she explained.
“I’ve got a bit of a faulty electrical wire, so it can go from resting heart rate to 230 with the click of a finger.”
The sudden increase in her heart rate left Courtney breathless and forced her to step away from the worksite.
“When that happens, it sort of takes your breath away for a minute,” she said.
“Some episodes are really easy and go away on their own, and then some want to stick around for a while.”
Courtney attempted several of the manoeuvres she usually uses to stop an episode, but they initially failed to work.
“I had to remove myself and try to do my manoeuvres to make it go away,” she said.
“It just wasn’t immediately working.”
Why did Courtney call Lisa for help?
As the episode continued, Courtney’s concern for those around her began to increase her own anxiety.
“They weren’t privy to my situation, so of course they panicked because all of a sudden my heart rate was through the roof,” she explained.
“That whole situation started panicking me a lot, and I couldn’t stop the episode.”
Courtney eventually called Lisa, knowing her medical experience could help walk her through what she needed to do.
“While we’re not in the world’s greatest state at the moment, she’s a medical professional,” Courtney said.
“Even though I know I’m going to be okay, sometimes when your heart rate is going that high, you end up in a bit of a panic attack situation.”
Courtney said she started to convince herself that something was seriously wrong, making the situation even more complicated than it already was.
“Your brain starts tricking you that something’s not right and you’re going to die,” she admitted.
“I just needed a medical professional to tell me, ‘It’s all good. Just do this, do that. You know what to do.’”
Although Lisa wasn’t on site to help in person, the support she provided over the phone was enough to help Courtney remain calm.
“Just chatting it out and having that reminder that you’re all good, do your thing and, if not, call the ambulance, helped,” she said.
“That sensible, professional opinion just helps in that moment sometimes.”
Courtney was finally able to stop the episode after performing her sixth manoeuvre.
“It meant I didn’t have to call the ambulance, thank God,” she said. “I could only do it that many times before I had to call one.”
On any given day, the tension between the teams is hard to miss. Despite it all, however, Courtney said she was grateful to have Lisa’s expertise when she needed it most.
“It was great,” she said. “Of course it’s helpful when you’ve got that first-hand access to a professional.”
The Block airs Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm and Sundays at 7pm on Channel Nine and 9Now.
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