I had a heart attack despite being a ‘fit and healthy’ doctor – these are the warnings I wish I’d listened to
A ‘FIT and healthy’ doctor has warned others not to ignore red flag symptoms after suffering a shock heart attack.
Former surgeon Philip Hollows, 67, was just seven months into his retirement when he was racked by pain in the centre of his chest.
It was a “glorious summer‘s day” in July 2021 and Philip was about to go fly fishing with a friend.
Though he’d had no history of heart disease, the surgeon soon realised he was having a heart attack.
He was rushed to hospital, where it was confirmed he’d suffered the health emergency.
Doctors also discovered that Philip had type 2 diabetes – dubbed a silent killer condition as it can damage blood vessels and lead to heart disease over time.
“I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it because I had no history of heart disease, and my parents were both fit and well in their 90s,” Phillip wrote in blog posted to the British Heart Foundation‘s website.
“I was 63, I’d just retired, and I had so many plans. I was going to do some fishing, learn to play the piano and do some art courses.
“It all looked brilliant to me. And then my whole world crashed around me.”
Tests confirmed that Philip’s coronary arteries – which supply the heart muscle with blood – were completely blocked, bringing on a heart attack.
Heart attacks occur when supply to the heart is suddenly cut off, usually by a blood clot.
Philip had a stent into the blocked blood vessel, which was successful in restoring blood supply to his heart.
He recalled thinking he was “lucky to be alive”.
The ex-surgeon was also told that his blood sugar was high and that he had type 2 diabetes.
“That was a further shock,” Philip wrote.
But he realised he’d been experiencing warning signs of the condition, which he’d put off seeing a GP about.
“I’d been losing weight and was going to the toilet more often, which can be symptoms of diabetes,” Philip said.
“Linzi, [his wife] who is also a doctor, had wanted me to see my GP, but I was busy, and I didn’t get checked.
“I do look back and think why didn’t I get checked? I’m a doctor, and it was shocking to realise I didn’t make the time for it.
“If my high blood sugar levels had been diagnosed five years earlier, I might not have become diabetic.”
Philip also realised that he had eaten badly and “neglected” himself over the years, eating a “big fried breakfast” after early starts as a head and neck surgeon and “raiding the fridge” following long shifts.
“But because I’ve always been slim, I didn’t realise the potential for slowly developing diabetes, or feel at risk,” he added.
‘Get checked’
Philip was able to return home after a few days in hospital and embarked on his recovery process.
He struggled to climb the stairs at first or even walk, but he started attending a cardiac rehab class at his local hospital and going to the gym twice a week when he was stronger.
His twice-weekly gym sessions of “steps and weights” have seen him regain his energy and fitness and he’s been able to enjoy treks to the Yorkshire Dales with his wife Linzi.
Philip also set to lowering his blood sugar through diet.
He said: “Although not particularly overweight, I lost two stone, so I’m now the weight I was at university.
“And my blood sugar level came back to the normal range.”
Subtle signs of a heart attack
A HEART attack is when the supply of the blood to the heart is suddenly blocked.
It is a medical emergency and needs to be treated right away.
Around 100,000 people are admitted to hospital due to heart attacks every year in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation.
That’s 290 each day, or one every five minutes.
Some symptoms, like chest pain, shortness of breath and feeling lightheaded or dizzy, can be fairly obvious.
But the signs aren’t always so blatant, the NHS warns. Other more subtle symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Pain in other parts of the body (it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms, jaw, neck, back and stomach)
- Sweating
- Feeling sick
- Vomiting
- An overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
- Weakness or fatigue
- Coughing
- Wheezing
A heart attack and cardiac arrest are similar, but not the same.
A cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping blood around the body.
Philip has since struggled a bit with worries about his heart, but has found comfort in counselling and speaking to friends.
He’s now enjoying his retirement, just as he planned.
But he urged others not to skip vital health checks.
“From your 40s onwards you can get your blood pressure, your cholesterol and your blood sugar checked,” Philip noted.
“Since my heart attack I’ve been encouraging my friends, family and colleagues to do so.
“One family member found he has high cholesterol, and a former colleague and friend found he has type 2 diabetes.
“So, if you get checked, you might find something crucial.”
In NHS, people aged 40 to 74 without certain pre-existing conditions after invited for free health checks every five years, which look at blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, among other things.