I was fit and active ...then 2 days before Xmas I learnt my heart would fail in 8yrs

Man tells how routine test flagged up organ defect

WITH an active job and healthy lifestyle, the prospect of having major heart surgery at 25 was the furthest thing from Chris Clarke’s mind.

But his world was turned upside down just before Christmas last year after a routine medical test flagged up that he was heading for organ failure.

Now, after having open heart surgery, Chris is on the road to recovery and has recruited a team of 19 to take part in Chest Heart And Stroke’s 5 Peaks Challenge next month in a bid to raise awareness and funds for the charity.

He said he hoped by opening up about his ordeal, he could encourage others to get checked out.

Chris – who works on oil rigs, cranes and wind turbines – revealed: “I was preparing to leave for Madrid on January 1 to work for four months, which I had told the nurses about.

“On December 22 I got a call while doing Christmas shopping from a doctor’s secretary and she said, ‘If you’re still going to Madrid you should change your life insurance because you have a serious heart condition’.

“She couldn’t tell me any more on the phone because it was confidential.

“I was left with that just before Christmas. I can not describe how that phone call turned my whole life upside down.”

The day before

Christmas Eve, Chris was told his aortic valve was leaking and his left ventricle was dilated by over two inches and he was set for heart failure within eight years.

He said: “Since then it has been a whirlwind of appointment after appointment, scans, tests and a week-long stay in hospital having open heart surgery followed by a long life-changing recovery. It was a nightmare.”

On March 1, Chris had six-hour open heart surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital to replace the aortic valve with tissue valves.

He said: “Luckily for me it seems to be all going OK. In September I will be checked to ensure my heart is working like it should.”

Chris, from Ballinderry, Co Antrim, had to take three months off work due to how physically demanding his job is and has recently returned doing lighter duties.

Now he is preparing to take on the 5 Peaks Challenge on September 9 and 10. Participants have 36 hours to complete five mountains here – Donard, Cuilcagh, Trostan, Sawel and Gullion.

Chris said: “People should not ignore this stuff and maybe by speaking out it will help save someone’s life.”

He has been told he should not complete the full challenge but he is determined to do what he can and raise as much as possible for the charity.

CO ANTRIM YESTERDAY