A CARLISLE man believes that work-related stress was the cause of a 'silent' heart attack that gave him an irregular heartbeat and meant he needed a major operation.
Nick McGrath, a former engineer and teacher, believes his heart started to deteriorate about 30 years ago due to continual high stress at work.
Tests found that his heart rhythm had changed from palpitations to permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) and the heart was not pumping as it should.
Telling his story as part of Heart Failure Awareness Week, he said: “AF is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. I could feel my heart fluttering and the abnormal heartbeat is disconcerting.
"It is tough to try and teach, but couple that with the everyday symptoms of heart failure (AF, fatigue, weakness, breathlessness) and the problems mount.
“I had an ECG and echocardiogram (tests that help find problems with the heart muscle, valves, or rhythm) and when I went for the results the doctor said he could see that my heart was not pumping correctly, in part due to a heart attack.
"Well, this was news to my wife and I as we never knew that I’d had a heart attack.
"The doctor explained that there is such a thing as a ‘silent’ heart attack - basically, where you don’t know it’s happening.
"The cardiologist also saw that three of my arterial vessels were restricted and the lead cardiologist referred me to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, for a triple heart bypass operation in June 2020.”
After the operation, Nick, who is also a diabetic, was delighted that the angina pains were totally gone; however, his heart was still pumping inefficiently.
He had successful angioplasty, a surgical procedure using special tools to open narrow, or blocked arteries.
He said: “Heart failure is a condition that I can cope with because of the high-quality medical support I receive.
“In many respects, heart failure is an invisible illness that is not understood very well and therefore Heart Failure Awareness Week may initiate the beginnings of an understanding among the populace.”
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