‘I felt like an old man in a young man’s body’
Sports mad 30-year-old survived three heart attacks
A YOUNG sports enthusiast who suffered three heart attacks and feared he would not survive to become a father is about to take up a 5km challenge.
Gaelic footballer and jiu-jitsu fighter Ciaran Byrne was stunned when he had to have two stents inserted into his heart and was told he needed urgent cardiac care.
‘The only thing I kept thinking about was that “I am 30 years old and I never got to meet my kids”,’ the Louth man said.
‘I felt like an old man in a young man’s body.’
Despite his diagnosis with unstable angina, Mr Byrne, who lives in Camolin in Co. Wexford, with girlfriend Nicola Sheil, 29, has signed up to walk the virtual Love Run to help the Irish Heart Foundation bridge a major funding gap caused by the pandemic.
The 5km event is part of the charity’s Show Some Heart fundraising campaign which raises €150,000 each year.
That vital funding is usually generated through various events across Ireland but Covid19 has meant all fundraising activity has moved online. Cabinet maker Mr Byrne is urging people to put on their training gear and sign up for the February 14 challenge.
A former player with current Louth GAA club champions Naomh Máirtín and keen boxing and jiu-jitsu enthusiast, his health nightmare struck suddenly last August.
After struggling with persistent chest pains, vision difficulties and breathlessness, he was admitted to hospital.
An MRI scan and angiogram revealed he had suffered three previous heart attacks, had a major blockage in his coronary artery and was fitted with two stents to clear it.
Walking the Love Run is his way of thanking the Irish Heart Foundation support teams for getting him on the road to recovery.
Mr Byrne is a member of the charity’s Heart Support Network on Facebook and has also received help and reassurance from the nurse support line.
‘I am doing the Love Run for the Irish Heart Foundation but also for my parents, my brothers, for my family, for their future families,’ he added.
‘I have three brothers and seeing their reactions when they realised that they nearly lost me was heartbreaking, it was very difficult for my parents as well.
‘Your body will tell you when there is something wrong. It is up to you to listen to it.’
Register for €20 at Irishheart.ie, where you can also make a donation if you’re unable to take part.
‘It’s up to you to listen to your body’