William Wilson was at first in denial when he recognised his own heart attack symptoms – and is now speaking out about his experience to help others
A top heart doctor has shared his own brush with death in a bid to highlight the dangers of heart attacks, even among those who know the risks all too well.
Dr William Wilson, a seasoned cardiologist, was taken aback when he started experiencing the tell-tale signs of a heart attack, finding himself grappling with disbelief.
At 63, Dr Wilson was the picture of health, or so he thought, describing his condition as ‘awesome’ before the incident struck.
He recounted how his lifestyle was always on the go, with an active professional life and regular exercise routine – after all, understanding the heart’s needs is his bread and butter.
The health scare caught him off guard while he was enjoying a holiday with his wife in January 2018, feeling in top form until the onset of what he initially perceived as minor symptoms, reports Surrey Live.
His wife suggested they exercise together, to which he casually agreed, “Sure” – little did he know this decision would lead to a startling revelation.
However, during their workout, Dr Wilson noticed something was amiss; he wasn’t engaging in his usual rigorous routine but merely ‘messing around’ on the stair master when the first warning sign appeared.
Reflecting on that moment, he expressed: “It didn’t just hit me, boom, it was discomfort – and not a sharp discomfort. It was an uncomfortable pressing discomfort, which you’d think I’d know, as this is what I do (in my job).”
As he became ‘dripping wet’ with sweat disproportionate to his level of activity, the reality of his situation began to dawn on him, though he was reluctant to face the truth.
He described how his ‘shirt was soaked’ and that ‘people around him could clearly see this’, even as he attempted to convince himself by saying ‘this isn’t happening’.
“In a state of denial”, he said, believing “this can’t be happening to me, I’m a cardiologist”.
The doctor said: “If you have a pain somewhere, if you hit your head, it hurts, but you don’t have this overwhelming sense of doom.”
He highlighted those experiencing a heart attack often feel an urgent need to use the toilet because there’s a “nervous system thing with the heart that is activated”.
He made his way to the bathroom at the gym, feeling rather unwell. Once out, he approached his wife, informing her “I’m having a heart attack”.
In sharing his ordeal on video, Dr Wilson looked back on that critical instance. He fought back tears and spoke highly of his wife’s swift handling of the situation.
“She took care of it” he said, “she just said, ‘let’s go’.”
Dr Wilson MD then phoned the emergency room where he treats his own patients, alerting them to his heart attack. Upon his arrival, the hospital staff were ‘all ready for him’, showcasing a raw moment for the doctor.
Highlighting an unexpected twist, he said: “I’m not probably the person they expected to see having a heart attack. The key for treating a heart attack is getting to the hospital as quickly as you can.
“Once you’re there, the cardiology team and the hospital team will take it from there.”
Reflecting on the experience, he said: “With every breath I realise I am very fortunate. It could have gone totally a different way. I’m lucky to be alive – and I believe in God.”
He commended his partners at the hospital, the staff, and the emergency room team, describing the process as ‘going like clockwork’.
He also expressed a ‘tremendous amount of gratitude’ to all the nurses who cared for him afterwards.
According to the British Heart Foundation, heart and circulatory diseases account for approximately 26% of all annual deaths in the UK. Similarly, the American Heart Association reports that one in three adults in the USA suffers from heart disease.