HEALTH From heart attack to Velothon in five months

FIVE months ago Martyn Ingham was taken to hospital for life-saving treatment after suffering a heart attack.

But thanks to his medical team he made astounding progress and was well enough to take part in this month’s Velathon Wales event.

Miraculously he completed the 140km course only four minutes slower than his previous attempt in 2016.

Martyn Ingham, a normally fit and healthy 63-year-old from Tongwynlais, was taking part in his normal circuit training session at Llanishen Leisure Centre on February 1 when he started to feel unwell.

Initially he thought he’s pulled a pectoral muscle as he was feeling pains in his chest and suffering from lack of energy.

Fellow fitness fanatics around him commented that he looked pale and washed out.

Staff at the leisure centre called an ambulance and within two hours Martyn was in the Cath Lab at the University Hospital of Wales having clot busting treatment.

“I class myself as fit and healthy, having never smoked, been overweight or have any conditions such as diabetes,” he said.

“I was quite shocked this happened to me as my risk factors of a heart attack were relatively low.

“It all happened really fast. I felt unwell and then I was in hospital receiving treatment. Looking back it all seemed quite surreal.”

Doctors discovered Martyn had a small blockage in an artery in his heart.

He added: “On Wednesday they put me on clot-busting treatment and on Friday the surgeons put the stent in.

“I was on my way home on the Saturday.

“I’ve been fine since my operation and my recovery has gone really well, I’ve been through physio and exercise plans with the cardiac rehab team building up my strength.

“I was very nervous to leave the house as I thought ‘what if something happens again?’

“But I gained confidence going for short walks, building up to two-hour walks into Cardiff city centre where I would stop for a cup of coffee and catch the bus back home.

“The final phase of my recovery was to go to the cardiac rehab team at Maindee Leisure Centre where I did circuit training for 12 sessions, building strength and cardio.

“I was quite lucky as I was fit beforehand so this helped me quickly get back to normal.

“My goal well enough Velothon.”

Martyn said cycling was his passion so he decided to get back on his bike in May to start his Velathon training.

He then took part in the Velothon on July 9, completing the race only four minutes slower than last year.

He added: “The team on Ward B1 and the cardiac rehab team have been fantastic.

“I’d like to thank them for everything they have done for me to be able to get back to fitness and complete the Velothon once again.” was to take to part recover in the