Social media video detailing symptoms of heart attack becomes a lifesaving watch for NI father - ‘who did not want to be a burden to NHS’

Ryan Wallace had been having heartburn and chest pain for three weeks, but delayed getting medical help because he didn’t want to be a ‘burden’ to the NHS and was also worried about catching coronavirus in hospital.

It was only after seeing a video posted on Facebook by the Western Trust, which urged people not to put off seeking help because of the pandemic, that Ryan decided to take action.

The father-of-two said: “My GP had been treating me for heartburn, but it was getting worse. He’d referred me for an ECG, but it hadn’t shown any issues. Eventually, even walking to the car was causing me problems.

‘‘I didn’t want to be a burden on the health service in the current situation and the thoughts of catching the virus were also in my mind, but I watched a video which asked people not to put off calling the hospital and it gave a contact number. I rang and was triaged by someone from Omagh hospital.’’

Ryan was told to go to Altnagelvin, where he was given a blood test and admitted. He had two badly blocked arteries and had stents fitted to open them up.

DrPaul McGlinchey, the consultant cardiologist who treated Ryan and who appears in the Western Trust video, said: “The strong message from Ryan’s story is that if you have symptoms, don’t ignore them.

‘‘If you have any doubts about those symptoms, let the experts decide if there’s a cause for concern. We’re still open for business and we want people to know that if they have to attend the hospital, they will be in a different area from anyone infected with Covid-19.’’

‘‘You’re also not being a burden on the Health Service. Ryan was very close to having a heart attack but was treated in time. The longer you leave it, the bigger the risk.”

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