"A remarkable achievement"

Out on a hill walk with my dog. I had just reached the summit of the hill having traversed it at pace when I felt an overwhelming pressure in the centre of my chest which would not subside.

At this point I thought I had somehow damaged a lung. Being alone and without a phone I walked has to walk just over an hour back home with the pain spreading to my back and down my left arm.

Once home I was unable to contact my wife so opted to drive to A&E over concern that I may be having a heart attack. On arrival at A&E I explained my symptoms and awaited triage. Once my name was called the triage nurse immediately carried out a ECG and within seconds diagnosed a STEMI and had me forwarded to the emergency team.

The emergency team gave me drugs to calm my system and carried out more tests whilst arranging for an ambulance to take me to Raigmore for an operation. The ambulance blue lighted me to rainforest whilst explaining what would be happening on my arrival. I was able to contact my wife and explain the situation and assure her everything was under control.

On arrival at Raigmore I was whisked to the Cath lab for a an angioplasty on a LAD blockage followed by a stent insertion. (At this point the surgeon informed me I had a congenital heart issue which is currently bring addressed.) From the occurrence of the attack to the stent fitting was 4 hours which, considering the remote location, the long walk home, the assessment and delivery to the operating theatre and the operation being carried out, is a remarkable achievement.

After the operation I was placed in the recovery lounge till a place in the CCU was available. Within the an hour I was transported to the CCU and spent 3 days under cardio care professional supervision. I was able to have visitors which helped pass the time and aid my recovery.

Having been considered safe for release I was given drugs qnd information and what to expect and what I was expected to do. I left the hospital and was driven home by my wife to begin my convalescence.

This included contact with the Dr Grays cardio nurse who carried out assessments on my physical and mental wellbeing. After the second assessment I was signed off and have continued to improve my cardio health.