A 32-year-old man who dismissed the early signs of a heart attack as muscle fatigue from the gym has shared his story to warn others. Ryan Mickleburgh, a chef and fitness enthusiast from Manchester, was working out in March last year when he felt a tightness in his chest. He ignored it, believing it was just tiredness.
Soon after, he experienced an electric shock sensation down his left side, hot flushes, and difficulty breathing out. Despite these symptoms, he still did not think he was having a heart attack. He later learned he had suffered two 'widowmaker' heart attacks, a term used because of their low survival rate.
Ryan was later diagnosed with a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), or 'hole in the heart', which doctors believe may have allowed a blood clot to pass through and trigger the attacks. He has since dedicated himself to raising awareness, particularly among young men who often ignore warning signs.
He praised the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which offers free heart screenings for people aged 14 to 35. Ryan said: 'I was like most young men – I thought I was invincible. The grindset nearly killed me.' He hopes his experience encourages others to take symptoms seriously and get checked.
