Latest news with #BritishHeartFoundationNI
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Co Fermanagh runner receives open heart surgery days after completing half marathon
Co Fermanagh man Gareth Reihill (51) was diagnosed with a heart condition at the age of 25, coming after a routine GP appointment revealed the man had a heart murmur. The murmur is a congenital valve problem, meaning the aortic valve only has two flaps of skin, also called leaflets to help control blood flow, instead of the usual three. Also known as a biscupid aortic valve, it is the most common congenital heart defect and is estimated to affect around 2% of the population, often going undiagnosed. However many diagnosed with the condition live a healthy life with treatment. As previous scans had been normal, last year Gareth flew out to Spain to complete the Torremolinos half-marathon with his Enniskillen running club. However, just two days later, the Fermanagh man's cardiologist delivered the life-changing news that his condition had progressed from mild to severe. 'I ran the Torremolinos half marathon on Sunday and was told I needed open heart surgery on the Tuesday,' said Gareth, who described his shock at the news. 'My cardiologist said we needed to intervene before more damage was done to the heart muscle. 'It was time for open heart surgery.' In July 2024, the avid runner underwent surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital, where his aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical one. Despite the prospect of a life-changing surgery, he remained calm. 'I remember when I was being pushed down to the theatre I was at ease. I don't know why,' said Gareth. 'I thought I'd be petrified, but I wasn't,' he added. 'The doctors were so confident and reassuring.' News Catch Up - Thursday 5 June Gareth was told that had he not proceeded with the surgery, he would have faced congestive heart failure within three years. Despite not being able to run during his three-month recovery from the surgery, Gareth explained he found immense support in his local running club. 'The club was amazing throughout my journey,' he said. Almost one year after the open heart surgery, he has continued running, completing 10k and half marathons since, including returning to the Torremolinos half marathon this year. 'I was 50 years old when I had the operation and I was delighted with the result… I feel great now.' Fearghal Mckinney, head of British Heart Foundation NI said: 'Gareth's story is very powerful and we're grateful to him for sharing his journey of his heart condition from his open heart surgery back to health.' 'We would encourage people to sign up to the annual Enniskillen 10k and help fund our lifesaving research, so we can give people more time with their loved ones.' Enniskillen Running Club, have decided this year to support the British heart foundation in their annual 10k event which takes place on Saturday 14th June. The 10k is open to runners and walkers over the age of 15, registration closes on Wednesday 11th June.
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
‘My star child went to sleep and never woke up': NI mum's heart charity fundraiser in memory of son
Nikki Fitzsimons, from Downpatrick, lost her only child Callum to sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) in April 2022. He had complained about feeling slightly unwell the previous evening after, experiencing a sore head and lights hurting his eyes following a family walk up Sawel Mountain. 'I gave him Calpol as he had a temperature and lay with him for a bit before I went to bed,' Nikki recalled. 'The next morning my sister, who lives nearby, came over to my house and went straight up to Callum's room to see him. The next thing I remember is hearing her shouting and wailing. I knew something was seriously wrong.' Realising that Callum was unconscious, the distraught mum immediately began CPR and phoned an ambulance. Paramedics took over, but within minutes of their arrival, Nikki was told her son could not be resuscitated. 'They just said 'he's gone' and that they had tried everything to save his life,' she said. 'I was in complete shock and devastation, feeling absolutely numb and shaking all over.' 'Callum loved science and learning all about space. I called him my star child' SADS occurs when someone unexpectedly dies from cardiac arrest, but it's not clear what the cause is. The rhythm of the heart is controlled by electrical impulses which, if interrupted, can cause it to beat abnormally. The condition, known as an arrhythmia, which can be hard to confirm in post-mortem examinations, can be dangerous and lead to a heart attack. SADS affects around 500 people in the UK every year. Three years after Callum's death, his mum is still struggling to come to terms with how he died. 'Callum was a bright, funny and kind wee boy, very popular with his peers and within the community,' she said. 'He had high-functioning autism and absolutely loved science and learning all about space and teleportation. I called him my star child.' Nikki has decided to organise a fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation NI (BHFNI) to support continued research on heart conditions to stop other families from having to endure the same pain she has faced. 'We miss Callum as much as ever and are still looking for answers,' she explained. 'The work the BHFNI is doing in raising awareness of sudden cardiac death in the young is so important. This will sadly happen again to other families, but as a family we want to raise money for BHFNI to fund the research that will save lives.' Nikki is now expecting her second. 'I'm 28 weeks pregnant and I believe that Callum is sending us his little sister,' she said. 'We're so excited, she's due in August and we're going to call her Chance, as it feels like we're being given a second chance to be a family again.' It would have been Callum's 16th birthday on Thursday and Nikki is planning a family fun day on Saturday. She will be at Dunleath Playing Fields in Downpatrick from 2pm to raise funds for BHFNI by hosting activities that Callum would have loved. 'For Callum's 16th birthday, we wanted to do something special as it's a milestone birthday,' Nikki explained. 'We have organised lots of fun activities. The dad of Callum's school friend is doing a reptile show. We have a gaming van as Callum was a big fan of VR and gaming. Callum was a Liverpool FC fan, so for one of the prizes we've organised a trip to Liverpool with £500 spending money. 'Lots of the shops in Downpatrick have supported the event, which is fantastic.' It's hoped the fun day will keep Callum's memory alive and everyone is invited to offer whatever they can 'for this amazing cause'. News Catch Up - Wednesday 21 May 'Every penny counts towards saving lives,' Nikki said. Donations can also be made online through a JustGiving page which has been set up.
