Torquay resident urges heart health check

TORQUAY surfer Russell McConachy says a heart health check helped him dodge a “potential crisis” in the near future, and urged others to do the same.

Mr McConachy, a regular surfer on the big waves of the south-west coast, said although he felt “really healthy and well” most of the time as he approached his 69th birthday, he often wondered if he should check if his heart was healthy too.

“We too often hear of athletes, including surfers, simply dropping dead in the middle of their favourite activity.”

Following advice from his GP, Mr McConachy had a CT calcium score test that produced a “truly stunning” outcome.

“I had expected a very good result, of course. A normal reading is 0-100 and more than 400 is a high risk. I was 1,257!”

He then had a nuclear medicine myocardial perfusion study, then an angiogram, and finally an operation to put two stents in his heart to address blockages of 80 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively.

“My initiative to check my heart has given me a new lease on life and avoided a potential crisis within the next few years.”

He said that while completing the cardiac rehab program at Epworth, he met many men who had ignored the warning signs and suffered heart attacks.

“It is incredible what a bloke will endure to avoid seeking medical attention. Trust me, death may be knocking on the door and it is not to be ignored. There is no room for pride when these signs are obvious.

“I strongly advise any person who has had a cardiac event or procedure to attend the program as it addresses diet, medication, and the emotional effect of this kind of procedure.”

Mr McConachy said the first step to protect yourself was to understand the risk factors and ideally have a heart health check with your doctor.