On the 24^th November 2019, after a fairly calm day of early Christmas shopping and having lunch out, my wife had to call 999 as I was experiencing chest pains that were not subsiding. We had a 6 month old taking a nap and a 2 year old wondering why Daddy was looking pale and holding his chest. When the ambulance arrived the paramedics completed their checks which included an ECG which came back all clear, thus resulting in them explaining that “it could not have been a heart attack as you look like a health young male in your early 30s”. After some discussions, I was taken to hospital where the whirlwind of blood tests, getting admitted and an emergency
angiogram which all resulted in being told that I had Myocarditis and
Pericarditis. Both being new words to me and my family with healthcare professionals unable to provide much information regarding how, why and what would happen next.

I later understood that my heart scare was the result of having inflammation to the heart, there was not much research available on Myocarditis and Pericarditis aside from being more prevalent in young, fit and healthy males. Fast forward a few years, there has been more research in to these two heart conditions which suggest links to COVID-19, it is however still an under researched area.

In an attempt to raise money and awareness in to Myocarditis and Pericarditis, I have signed up to walk 100km in the London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge on 27^th and 28^th May 2023. If you would like to (and are able to), I would really appreciate any support to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.