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Andrew BrittonBritish man who suffered six heart attacks due to rare virus
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Andrew Britton: Surviving Six Heart Attacks Through a Rare Virus
- Heart Under Attack
- A Race Against Time
- A Rare Viral Attack
- Post-Hospital Challenges
- A Legacy of Gratitude
- Beyond Recovery
Andrew Britton: Surviving Six Heart Attacks Through a Rare Virus
Wedding Night NightmareDuring their honeymoon in the Maldives, Andrew Britton, a 33-year-old British triathlete and squash player, experienced unexplained discomfort. Dismissing it as honeymoon indulgences and jet lag, his condition rapidly deteriorated. Within a few days, Britton had lost 22 pounds and suffered several near-death experiences. He was airlifted to a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, where he was placed on life support.
Heart Under Attack
Waking up from unconsciousness, Britton had a chilling realization. He wrote on a pen and paper, "Am I dying?" Later, he learned that he had endured five heart attacks in the Maldives, with a sixth occurring shortly after. Upon feeling unwell, his wife had called a local doctor who administered an intravenous drip at their honeymoon villa. The following day, they boated to a nearby hospital, where Britton was diagnosed with a dangerously fast heart rate of over 200 beats per minute. He received sedation and underwent electrical therapy.
A Race Against Time
Doctors delivered a grim prognosis: Britton would die within 24 hours unless he reached a specialist arrhythmia center in Bangkok. Fortunately, he was swiftly transported there by air ambulance and spent two weeks on life support. Once his condition stabilized enough for travel, Britton was transferred to the Harleyfield Hospital in northwest London.
A Rare Viral Attack
"I was told I had a virus that attacked my heart and set it going haywire," Britton recalls. "It's incredibly rare." Doctors implanted a cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) to regulate his erratic heart rhythm.
Post-Hospital Challenges
Britton's recovery progressed, and he returned home after seven weeks. However, a near-fatal episode at a Tesco store landed him back in the hospital. He underwent an open-heart surgery that lasted eight hours and received a ventricular assist device, which pumps blood into his aorta. Currently, Britton is in stable condition and awaiting a heart transplant.
A Legacy of Gratitude
His wife, Lauren, a human resources manager, visits him daily after work, and they share evening meals. Together, they are passionate about spreading awareness about organ donation to help others facing similar challenges. "Despite everything that's happened, I feel very lucky," says Britton. "I have an amazing family, and I have met people who have shown me that the world is full of people who care about strangers."
Beyond Recovery
Upon regaining his strength, Britton aspires to become a World Transplant Games champion in squash. The games showcase the achievements of transplant surgery and increase awareness about the vital importance of organ donation.
