‘Heart Hero’ Ross in line for award as he awaits transplant

Dundee man is positive about the future as he raises awareness of his condition

When he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition aged 21, Ross Peters thought he was going to die.

Two years on, the Dundee man has been nominated for an award for his awareness-raising work for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Despite still being on the waiting list for a heart transplant, the 23-year-old said he was feeling upbeat and positive about the future.

Ross said: “I’ve been nominated in the inspiration category of the Heart Hero awards.

“When I was diagnosed I was scared as I didn’t know anyone in my situation.

“My condition is only meant to affect people in their forties and fifties, so if I had read a story like mine I would have felt a lot calmer.

“That’s why I decided to share my story with the BHF, and I was then

I have deteriorated since my diagnosis and my only option now is to wait for a heart to become available

contacted by lots of media organisations.

“It all snowballed from there and I had a lot of positive feedback.

“I have deteriorated since my diagnosis and my only option now is to wait for a heart to become available.

“I might get one tomorrow, or in a year’s time – who knows.

“The average wait is between a year and 18 months, so in that time I’ve got to work towards goals like keeping myself fit and healthy, and raising as much awareness as possible.

“Even though I’ve got every reason to feel down, I’m staying positive.

“It was a huge honour to be nominated for the award, and I win I’d be delighted, but that’s not my aim.

“The other nominees all do fantastic work so they all deserve recognition.”

Ross first began to notice symptoms, such as being bloated and breathless, on holiday in Greece.

A few weeks later he was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

DCM is a disease of the heart muscle, which means it is unable to pump blood around the body efficiently.

In most cases, DCM develops slowly, so some people can have quite severe symptoms before they are diagnosed.

Symptoms are shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles and abdomen, excessive tiredness and palpitations.

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Ross Peters says it was a “huge honour” to be nominated for the award.