Diagnosis came as a complete shock

BRIAN’S STORY

LAWYER Brian Waller has always been a picture of health so his world was rocked when he learned he had heart failure.

He has never smoked, rarely drinks and is a keen runner but in November last year he discovered he had the condition, probably as a result of dilated cardiomyopathy caused by a lung infection.

Brian, 54, from Edzell, Angus said: “It started with a persistent cough. I got antibiotics for it – they thought it was a lung infection. The antibiotics didn’t do anything so I went back to the GP surgery.

“The doctor did an ECG and said there was a funny beat and at that point sent me to Ninewells Hospital.”

There, tests showed fluid in the lungs was not being cleared as the heart was not functioning properly.

It was only when he met a consultant at the end of his appointment that he realised the seriousness of the progressive condition.

He was discharged with a regimen of drugs but said: “In the last few weeks I have felt fitter and better than I have done for years. I have started running again.”

Brian is now working from home a lot of the time to remove the stress of travelling to Edinburgh every day.

He admitted Christmas was particularly difficult for him, his wife Wendy and their two children.

He said: “There have been some dark moments but Wendy has been an amazing source of strength.

“We’ve come through the last few months together, with the support of my heart failure nurse Jill and Chest, Heart & Stroke

Scotland.”