‘Fit and healthy’ dad, 33, dies suddenly after waking up having a ‘panic attack’
A ‘FIT and healthy’ dad, 33, died suddenly after waking up having a ‘panic attack’.
Gregory Carr’s heartbroken family are still searching for answers after he tragically passed away on May 8 earlier this year.
The young solicitor, from Atherton in Wigan, had gone to bed complaining of feeling unwell before waking up in the early hours of the morning.
His fiancée, Rachael Cartwright, gave him CPR and called emergency services when he stopped responding to her.
Greg was blue-lighted to Royal Bolton Hospital, where he sadly died at 7.26am after going into cardiac arrest.
An inquest into his death was held at Bolton Coroners’ Court yesterday.
A coroner concluded it was a case of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).
The inquest heard Greg was fit and healthy, playing football, going to the gym, did not drink to excess, and wasn’t a smoker.
The young dad was a devoted family man who loved spending time with Rachael and their son.
The court heard how Greg had complained of chest pains in the months leading up to his death but blamed work stress.
His devastated fiancée told the court: “It was around 6am. I originally thought he was having a panic attack or a nightmare.
“I was trying to calm him down for a couple of seconds and then I realised there was more to it.
“I told him I was going to ring an ambulance. He didn’t respond to that and that’s when I realised it was serious.”
Consultant pathologist Dr Patrick Waugh told the inquest there were no signs of heart abnormalities.
“This is definitely a death that is cardiac in origin,” Dr Waugh added.
Professor Mary Sheppard, a leading national authority on sudden cardiac death, said the 33-year-old had a “structurally normal heart”.
The court heard Greg’s family are looking for further examination amid fears he may have had a genetic condition.
His family has also set up a fund with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY)to help raise awareness.
An annual nine a side footie match has also been started in the footballer’s memory by Bolton Lads and Girls Club.
Paying tribute to Greg at the conclusion of the inquest, assistant coroner Pemberton told his family: “It’s clear to me that Greg was a committed partner, a committed father, and a much loved son, and the tragic and unfathomable loss which you have suffered I am sure will remain with you throughout the rest of your lives.
“But it’s important that you remember him as a man and take those good memories forward with you, which won’t replace the loss but I hope will provide some reassurance of what you had.
“I do hope that you can now make some move forward. I hope it’s provided some answers.”
Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS)
Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) are genetic heart conditions that can cause sudden death in young, apparently healthy, people.
Although symptoms vary somewhat among the different types of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, common symptoms include:
- Fainting or having a seizure while exercising, excited or afraid.
- Chest pain during exercise.
- Shortness of breath while exercising.
Types of SADS conditions
- Brugada syndrome
- Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT)
- Long QT syndrome
- Short QT syndrome
- Timothy syndrome
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Treatments vary depending on the type of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.
If someone in your family has sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, check with your healthcare provider about having others in your family tested for the genetic mutation.
They can help you figure out who should get tested.
Having family members who know how to do CPR and have an automatic external defibrillator (AED) at home can help reduce risk.