An Essex man has become the first person in the world to be fitted with a new high-tech heart implant which can communicate with doctors via a smartphone.
David Southworth, 73, from Colchester, had an operation to fit the advanced implant at Essex Cardiothoracic Centre in Basildon earlier this month.
Doctors have likened the device to having a "paramedic in your pocket" and Mr Southworth said it has already helped with his breathing.
The implant, which is about the size of a pocket watch, can communicate with Mr Southworth's consultant on a smartphone or tablet, wherever he is in the world.
Mr Southworth, who has heart failure, said: "It's helped me to breathe easier, walk further, and two weeks on, I feel better for it already.
"I took the procedure in my stride and I am pleased to play my part. Hopefully, the device can help a lot of other patients similar to me."
The device has advanced algorithms which tailor its therapy to meet Mr Southworth's needs.
It does this by monitoring his heart every minute, identifying irregular heartbeats and responding with small electrical impulses that correct the heart's electrical signals and reduce patient symptoms.
It also sends advance warnings to hospital consultants, should it detect any changes which require health professional intervention.
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Dr Duncan Field, consultant cardiologist at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, fitted the Medtronic Cobalt implant earlier this month and has since carried out the procedure on several more patients.
The operation was carried out under local anaesthetic, with Dr Field passing leads through the veins into the heart and then implanting the device via a small incision under Mr Southworth's collarbone.
Dr Field said: "The Cobalt implant offers a personalised approach to defibrillator therapy, which is a big leap forward in performance and intelligence that I liken to having a paramedic in your pocket.
"The defibrillator protects the heart from dangerous arrhythmias and can give the hospital team advanced warning if we need to intervene, wherever in the world the patient might be.
"The cardiac resynchronisation part of the device focuses on helping the muscles of the heart to beat in the right way.
"It's like a tug of war team - if you can get the muscles to work at the same time and in rhythm, they are more effective at pumping blood around the body.
"Mr Southworth's early progress is encouraging, as improvement takes place during the first three to six months following implant.
"Thanks to the protection of the device, he can go and live his life again."
Rob Kowal, chief medical officer of the Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure division at Medtronic - the makers of the device - said: "These advancements will help physicians respond to patients' individual needs through informed clinical decision making, potentially improving the outcomes of patients around the world."
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