Chris Morse, a 38-year-old man from Carmarthen, Wales, had a life-saving encounter during a routine workout at his local gym. Feeling unwell, Chris was fortunate to be at the gym where Calon Hearts, a heart screening programme, was being conducted. He underwent a heart screening and was quickly diagnosed with a potentially serious condition – a large bicuspid aortic valve aneurysm and severely enlarged ventricle.
Following the screening, Chris was urgently taken to the University Hospital of Wales for open-heart surgery. This unexpected discovery came as a shock to Chris, who had never experienced any prior heart-related issues and believed himself to be in good health. Reflecting on the incident, Chris expressed immense gratitude for the screening, stating that it saved his life.
Now, five years later, Chris has fully recovered and is giving back by participating in the Cardiff Half Marathon to raise funds for Calon Hearts, a charity that provides free heart screenings for young adults aged 16 to 25. His personal experience has inspired him to raise awareness about the importance of heart screenings for young people, emphasising that early detection can truly be life-saving.
Supporting the Ben McDonald appeal, named after an individual who tragically passed away at a young age due to an undiagnosed cardiac condition, Chris encourages others to take advantage of the screening programme, even if they do not suspect any issues. Calon Hearts continues to offer free screenings for individuals aged 16 to 25, as well as subsidised screenings for those over 26. Screening dates and bookings can be found on their website.
Sharon Owen, the charity director of Calon Hearts, highlighted the significance of heart screenings, citing that every year in the UK, numerous young individuals die from undiagnosed cardiac conditions. The charity aims to prevent such tragedies by promoting regular heart screenings and early detection.
Chris Morse’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive health measures and the profound impact that a simple screening can have on saving lives. His advocacy for heart screenings reflects a commitment to raising awareness and ensuring the well-being of young adults in the community.