A fit and healthy 63-year-old man with a lifetime of emergency service training died suddenly from a silent heart attack, prompting his grieving family to call for vital health checks for all seemingly healthy middle-aged adults.
A Lifetime of Fitness and Service
Dave Aspery was the picture of health. The 63-year-old from Teesside jogged regularly, played football, maintained a balanced diet, and avoided alcohol and cigarettes. His career, which spanned decades in the Royal Navy, the Fire Brigade, and as a mine rescue technician, meant he was highly trained in emergency procedures like CPR and using a defibrillator.
"He had always been active, healthy and someone everyone relied on," said his daughter, Phoebe Aspery, 35, a health and strength coach. "I grew up watching him look after himself with the mindset of exercise being important."
The Tragic Afternoon in September
The shocking turn of events began in September. After a cheerful phone call with his wife Jane, 59, Dave was driving home from work with a colleague when he suddenly felt unwell. He made the conscious decision to pull the car over and ask his colleague to drive, a move his daughter believes saved the colleague's life.
"My dad was never ill. But I know the decision to pull the car over ultimately saved his colleague's life. Even in that moment, I know he did it intentionally, because that's who he was," Phoebe stated.
Dave managed to get to his home in Teesside, where Phoebe was visiting. He ran inside, told his wife to call an ambulance and fetch a defibrillator, before collapsing. He removed his belt and shirt in preparation for treatment. Jane began CPR immediately while their son, Cam, rushed to a nearby station to get a defibrillator.
Despite the swift efforts of his family, a first responder, a doctor, and the Great North Air Ambulance crew, Dave could not be saved. He passed away in the family home after 40 minutes of resuscitation attempts. Dave died in his wife's arms, with Phoebe, Cam, and the family dog Rupert by his side.
"I just went into freeze mode. I couldn't do anything but watch. It was so distressing," Phoebe recalled. "Losing your dad like that is a pain that nothing can prepare you for."
The Silent Killer: Ischaemic Heart Disease
A post-mortem examination revealed Dave had suffered a heart attack caused by ischaemic heart disease, a condition where fatty deposits narrow the arteries supplying blood to the heart. Crucially, he had displayed no prior symptoms.
Phoebe is now speaking out to raise awareness. "Ischaemic heart disease is something that can just develop in midlife, and it's not always hereditary. If you're fit and healthy, you'll never know you've got it," she warned. The family is campaigning for more accessible screenings, funding, and research.
Dr Roy Jogiya, Chief Medical Advisor at Heart Research UK, confirmed the severity of the condition. "Ischaemic heart disease continues to be amongst the UK's biggest killers," he said. He emphasised recognising often subtle warning signs like chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, or unusual fatigue, and urged early assessment.
Roughly 300 mourners attended Dave's funeral, a testament to the quiet impact he had on his community. As the family faces their first new year without him, they are determined to honour his memory. "We talk about him every day and know that he would expect us to keep smiling," Phoebe said.
