Rare heart condition : Sarah Brautigam ( pictured ) , of Doncaster , has been close to death dozens of times . A canoeist with a rare heart condition has been pronounced clinically dead 36 times in a year . Sarah Brautigam , 21 , of Doncaster , South Yorkshire , has been close to death dozens of times due to an affliction which makes her heart stop beating - and said that each time her hearing is the last thing to go . The former Great Britain canoeist saw her life turned upside down four years ago when she was diagnosed with a condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome . Miss Brautigam , who wants to be a burlesque dancer , has rapid palpitations that cause her heart to stop beating and her blood pressure to fall to what doctors record as clinically dead . On occasion she has to wait up to 30 minutes for her heart to refill with blood . She also suffers joint hypermobility syndrome , which means her joints are more prone to injury and dislocation . The two combined resulted in her visiting A & E 64 times in the same year . But Miss Brautigam insisted that she is determined not to let the conditions hold her back . She said : ‘ There are signs before it happens - I ’ ll feel dizzy or sick and really tired and then I feel as though I ’ m falling asleep . ‘ I can hear everything around me and feel as though I ’ m trying to shout but nothing is coming out . They say when you die your hearing is the last thing to go and that ’ s been my experience . ‘ After an attack I ’ ll wake up and my chest will be killing and I ’ m really tired. ’ Miss Brautigam said each time her heart stops medics have to inflict pain on her to shock her into coming back to life . She can not be given CPR until her heart has re-filled with blood . She said : ‘ When it happens paramedics try and do anything to inflict pain to try and shock me into coming back to life . ' A lot of the time I ’ ll wake up with big bruises . On one occasion they ripped an acrylic nail off but that still didn ’ t make me flinch. ’ In hospital : A combination of her postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and joint hypermobility syndrome have resulted in Miss Brautiga visiting A & E 64 times in the same year . Miss Brautigam was a canoeing fanatic who made it to the GB squad and was training six days a week when she was diagnosed and her dreams 'came crashing down ' . She was told she could no longer take part in the sport and her dreams of joining the Navy were also left in tatters . Even getting a job and driving were affected by the condition . Miss Brautigam added : ‘ I had 10 years of being out every weekend canoeing and being so active and it all came crashing down . I piled on the weight because I couldn ’ t exercise and was really upset . ‘ I can ’ t even work at the minute because I would need a job that could be very flexible . Then I was told I couldn ’ t drive , it was like everything was being taken away from me . Medical device : Miss Brautigam is pictured with the remote she has to trigger when she has an episode . Helping hand : A previous implantable loop recorder which saved 21-year-old Miss Brautigam from death . ‘ I lost a lot of friends , in fact I only have one friend from school . Everyone seemed to be too busy with their own lives to bother with me when I was diagnosed. ’ Miss Brautigam was pronounced clinically dead 36 times in 2012 but has since began burlesque chair dancing , which she said ‘ has given me a new lease of life ’ . She added : ‘ I made so many friends and everyone is so friendly and welcoming . I didn ’ t think I ’ d be able to do anything like his with my illness but everyone looks out for me at the class . I ’ ve only passed out once since I started . ' I ’ m determined not to let this beat me , joining the group has given me a life back . ‘ It might kill me but at least I ’ d die happy - for me . I ’ d rather live to the full rather than live longer and be wrapped up in cotton wool – it ’ s all about quality of life . '
Sarah Brautigam , of Navy , has been close to death dozens of times . Former GB canoeist , 21 , has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome . Miss Brautigam has rapid palpitations that cause heart to stop beating . On occasion she has to wait 30 minutes for her heart to refill with blood .