A retired police officer has become the first Kent patient to be fitted with an under the skin defibrillator after he suffered a massive heart attack.

Richard Oliver, 59, first thought he was suffering from indigestion but as the pain spread down his arm, his wife called an ambulance.

He collapsed and was told when he regained consciousness a paramedic had saved his life after suffering from a heart attack in March.

Due to his condition, doctors opted to fit him with a subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator (S-ICD).

The S-ICD delivers an electric shock if the heart rhythm is disturbed but is placed under the skin outside the ribcage with no leads placed into the heart unlike more commonly used implantable defibrillators (ICD).

Former footballer Fabrice Muamba was fitted with an ICD after he suffered a heart attack on the pitch while playing for Bolton Wanderers.

Medical experts believe the new technology could lead to more effective treatment for patients at risk of heart conditions.

The successful operation, the first in Kent, was carried out yesterday at Darent Valley Hospital by consultant cardiologist Dr Ed Petzer.

Mr Oliver is expected to make a full recovery after six weeks.

He said: "I feel extremely lucky to be here and if it wasn’t for the wonderful work of the NHS I don’t think I would be.

"I am honoured to be the first patient to receive this new medical technology at Darent Valley Hospital and have total faith in Mr Petzer and his team.

"I am now looking forward to leaving hospital and going home to watch the rugby."