Peter Coughlan's Fundraising Page

18 months after op

Thank you for logging onto my web-page, I trust you will find the information helpful in looking after your own health. If prolonged aerobic exercise is not part of your lifestyle at present, I sincerely hope reading my experiences will encourage you to make some changes. The photo of me is after last month’s Lydiard Legend Marathon in Auckland, my first marathon since my heart operation.

For those who don’t know, in late 2009 at age 65, my blood pressure readings increased significantly to an undesirable level for no apparent reason. At the time I was training much as I had done for the last 48 years, and my weekly long run was for 2 ½ hours on the hills. What’s gone wrong?

After a variety of tests, culminating in an angiogram, I discovered I had significant coronary artery disease. Six major blockages that required a five-way heart by-pass procedure, is what was needed to fix “what had gone wrong”. No lead-up signs like chest pain or breathing difficulties, nothing to suggest I had a problem, and most importantly, no heart attack. And that really was important, as it meant the heart muscle was not damaged; all we needed was some “fancy re-plumbing”. Apparently the prolonged and vigorous work which my heart had been subjected to all these years caused it to propagate numerous additional smaller blood vessels which have compensated for the others as they have progressively become blocked.

My exercise regime didn’t cause the coronary artery disease – that was hereditary – and it also didn’t prevent it. What the exercise did do though was to give me protection and more importantly time, to get something done before a heart attack. So there you have it, you know what to do, the rest is up to you.

Run; bike; swim; walk or whatever – just get a sweat up, eat and drink sensibly, get some rest, and for heavens sake don’t smoke. Remember, if you can't find time for exercise now, you may have to find time for sickness later.

As I have obviously benefited so much from the effects of the Heart Foundation in funding research into heart disease, I’d like to now help others by raising funds to further the cause.

Therefore I would very much appreciate your help in supporting such a worthy organisation. Remember every bit helps.

Select the "Make a donation" button below. It's simple, fast and totally secure and the money goes directly to the Heart Foundation's bank account.

If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued.

Many thanks for your support