A dentist who underwent a triple heart bypass after a chance health screen revealed major coronary problems says he is “lucky to be alive”.
David Smith did not suspect he was in danger of suffering a heart attack when, at the age of 57, he went for a cardiac check-up purely for piece of mind.
The Mannamead father of four had visited the gym three or four times a week for 25 years, ate healthily and did not smoke.
Mr Smith, now 62, said: “Doctors said if I hadn’t gone for the screen I would have had a heart attack that could have killed me or left me disabled.
“They said it could have happened at any time. I was shocked because I had not been aware of any problems. I handed myself over to the professionals in the hope they are going to mend you, which is what happened. They saved me from having a heart attack and probably saved my life as well.”
Mr Smith decided to undergo a private health screen at Tamar Science Park clinic Express Diagnostics in May 2003 after a similar test found heart defects in a friend.
“I was lucky I spoke to him,” he said. “I didn’t know there was a problem – I used to regularly circuit train and go on annual walking holidays with family and friends.”
Mr Smith said the only reason he had to doubt his own health was that his father had died of coronary problems.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) showed abnormalities in his heartbeat and a subsequent examination revealed partial blockage in three of his arteries.
Within three weeks he underwent a five-hour major heart operation at Derriford Hospital. The procedure was paid for privately through health insurance.
“I was in hospital for five days, during which time they get you out of bed and moving – the recovery is basically to walk everywhere,” he said.
“I was off work for six weeks and then returned gradually to normal. I have had no heart problems since.”
He has returned to the clinic, at Tamar Science Park, three times for further ECGs which have given him a clean bill of health.
He said: “Five years down the line, I’m still working out at the gym and going on walking holidays. I’m just fortunate it was all found out when it was.”
True life stories like this just reminds us all that sometimes, a bit of luck is needed. Just because you feel fine, eat and live healthily, you are not guaranteed perfect health and immunity from serious life threatening illness.
Income Protection provided the cushion for Mr Smith to address his medical condition before he had a heart attack. Critical Illness or Income Protection offers a financial cushion for those who may not be so lucky!
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