Join Michael's Fight Against a Silent Killer

Hi

My name is Michael Holden and on 13th January 2024 I had a heart attack. I'd just done 20 press ups and started immediately after with chest pains.

I was very lucky, within a few minutes an ambulance arrived and the crew started to assess me. To be on the safe side, I was taken to accident and emergency at Blackburn Royal Infirmary where they diagnosed a heart attack and prevented it getting worse.

After tests at Blackburn over a week or so I was told I needed bypass surgery and was put on the waiting list for the University Hospital North Midlands.

On the 24th January I was taken down to UHNM and given life saving quadruple cardiac bypass surgery, the whole NHS team from start to finish surrounded me and looked after me and I consider myself very lucky indeed to be in a position where I can now look forward to a future with my family.

But how did this occur?

Stress awareness is crucial for preventing hypertension by helping individuals recognise the need to manage stress effectively.

By understanding the impact of long-term stress and hypertension, as highlighted in shared experiences, individuals can take proactive steps towards lifestyle changes and stress management techniques. It really is a silent killer.

This awareness encourages early intervention, such as regular health check-ups and adopting healthier habits, to mitigate the risk of hypertension and its severe consequences.

I aim to raise money for cardiac care, stress awareness and increasing awareness about hypertension, I want this money to provide counselling and help individuals worried about hypertension and worrying about cardiac surgery.

I originally intended to walk/cycle from Scourie to John O Groats - a distance of 107 Miles but with the permission of UHNM charity I decided to change the venue to the Leeds Liverpool canal which is much more accessible, adding 20 miles but allowing friends and supporters to join me. It’s now 127 miles!

I’ve already started on the route and am providing a blog and photos of my journey.

Please contribute if you would like to support this cause.

https://www.uhnmcharity.org.uk/