Paul's Story

I am 66 years old and have worked in an office for the last 19 years. Before retraining, I spent almost 20 years on a refuse collection team, which kept me very fit. Although the office job isn’t active, I stayed mobile through walking, fishing, and golf. I thought a heart attack was the last thing I would ever suffer from.

Looking back, I now realise I’d had two angina attacks a few months apart that left me feeling shaky and clammy, but at the time I had no idea what they were.

Those episodes were early warnings of the artery blockage that developed months later. The lead-up to the heart attack began with a stitch-like feeling in my chest that came on after walking for a while and eased when I stopped. It gradually became more frequent, and I also felt a pulsing sensation in both forearms. I went to the doctor, who arranged a cardiogram, but I deteriorated quickly. A few days later, I developed a crushing pain in my chest and was driven to A&E. An angiogram showed that the main artery to my heart was completely blocked. It was frightening and shocking how fast things had progressed since my initial GP appointment.

The surgeons fitted a stent, and I couldn’t believe how the pain disappeared immediately. Within a day, even the soreness had gone, and I felt absolutely fine.

I believe the excellent care from the cardiology team and the fact I had been so active helped me survive and recover from the blockage. I am now few years on and have made a full recovery. I’ve improved my diet, make heart-healthy choices when eating out, and have continued with walking and my outdoor pastimes.