A farmer who endured a heart attack without recognizing the symptoms is now campaigning to raise awareness about the 'silent killer.' Robert Nevin, then 59, woke in the middle of the night with what he believed was indigestion. He got up early, worked on his farm for five hours, and then drove himself to the hospital. Tests revealed he was having a heart attack.
Unexpected Health Scare
Mr Nevin, from Portrush, Northern Ireland, had no prior symptoms. After undergoing a stent procedure, he made a full recovery. In recognition of his efforts, a British Heart Foundation red bench was unveiled in his hometown. Now 61, Mr Nevin has partnered with the charity and the NI Agri-Rural Health Forum to encourage thousands of farmers to get their blood pressure checked.
The Silent Killer
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is linked to thousands of deaths annually. More than half of heart attacks and strokes are associated with high blood pressure. Mr Nevin stated, 'My experience taught me how important it is for everyone to look after their heart health and take it seriously.'
He added, 'I was fit and healthy all my life, and many people, including myself, struggled to understand how this happened to me. Particularly in farming, which can be stressful and isolating, farmers might ignore symptoms as I did and believe they are invincible. However, there are simple steps you can take, starting with getting your blood pressure checked.'
Campaign for Awareness
Fearghal McKinney, head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland, noted that high blood pressure 'is known as the silent killer for good reason as it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms.' He explained, 'All too often we see patients who have suffered serious heart disease or stroke caused by high blood pressure, and they had no idea their blood pressure had been elevated, probably for many years.'
The red bench will be displayed at the Farm Families stand during Balmoral Week, and Mr McKinney encouraged anyone over 40 attending to get their blood pressure checked.
