A dad who would run five to seven times a week, before suffering a silent heart attack which he said “probably saved my life” after it uncovered a deadly defect, has since trekked 100 miles in support of British Heart Foundation (BHF) and raised more than £50,000. Alex Roth, 56, a media executive from London, initially thought he was having an asthma attack when he had trouble breathing while running in January 2022.
What Alex did not realise was that he had suffered a heart attack and was at risk of premature death due to an unrelated heart defect. Nearly a year on from lifesaving open heart surgery, Alex has now trekked 100 miles through Snowdonia for BHF.
Alex, who lives with his wife, Erin, 57, a school chairperson, and has three children, Jack, 26, Max, 25, and Helen, 20, said: “I would run on average 35 miles a week, rain or shine, summer or winter. I was in good shape, I’ve never smoked, I don’t drink much alcohol, so I never thought I would be someone at risk of a heart attack. Afterwards, I kept saying to my wife, ‘I don’t understand how this could possibly happen to me’, but I’ve now realised that being fit and looking after yourself is not a way to avoid these things.
“You are still at risk of things like heart disease and have to be aware of the signs, however, being healthy is a good way to prepare to deal with something like this when it happens. If I hadn’t been in good shape, then things could have ended up a lot worse than they did.”
Alex first experienced breathing problems in 2018 but the breathing became considerably more laboured in January 2022. “I’ve always considered myself to be healthy, but I started having trouble breathing while running, which I assumed was a bit of asthma. I couldn’t run four miles without taking a break and even then, I continued to feel discomfort in my throat,” he said.
Unbeknownst to Alex, he had suffered a heart attack without experiencing chest pain or other common symptoms. At a routine doctor’s appointment, Alex explained the ‘strange’ feeling he had in his throat and was referred to a cardiologist.
He said: “The doctor recognised that it was a cardiac issue and told me that I was not permitted to do any exercise of any form until I had seen the specialist. But not realising how serious this was, I woke up the next morning and told my wife I was going for a run.
“I just didn’t understand and had no concept of heart disease and what it looked like. When I saw the cardiologist, he explained that based on blood tests, I had had a heart attack at some point in the prior two weeks.
“I realise now, looking back, that running after having had a heart attack was actually a very dangerous thing to do.” As part of Alex’s treatment, doctors investigated his heart for damage and realised he had a heart condition called a mitral valve defect.
This defect occurs when the mitral valve becomes too floppy, leaks or does not open as wide as it should. Alex added: “The defect leads to premature death so the irony is that the heart attack probably saved my life because if I’d not had it, then I wouldn’t have realised I was living with a severe heart defect.”
Alex would need open heart surgery to repair the valve and, in preparation for surgery, the only exercise Alex was allowed to do was walking. He walked around 35 miles a week until he went under the knife on May 19, 2022.
“Coming out of surgery I was really weak, in spite of being strong going into it, and I was depressed,” he said. So, I decided to set goals because, as a runner, I have always had goals for myself.”
Regaining his strength after the operation, Alex completed his first goal of running 10km in February 2023. His second goal was to run a half marathon in April, of which he completed eight miles before needing to stop.
Finding a new passion for walking, the 56-year-old decided to organise a trek to raise money for BHF. The feat would take place in Snowdonia between May 8 to 12, 2023.
Naming the challenge Eryri 100, after the Welsh name for Snowdonia, Alex set off on the 100-mile trek with two friends. He said: “It was harder than I expected it to be but, in many ways, Eryri 100 was a microcosm of my entire illness and recovery.
“I could tell that my fitness is not what it used to be, and the trek was super challenging, but I did it, with the support of family and friends. It was quite emotional. I think the most touching part was after the fourth day, which was the toughest of all the five days, we arrived at a pub and when we got there, so many friends and colleagues had come from London to join us.
“My wife Erin was there and I just couldn’t believe that everyone had come out to support us on the last day of the hike. It was really powerful that all these people wanted to be a part of it and were there to support us. The trek was full of beautiful moments in spite of the difficulties and without exaggeration I could not have done it alone – I relied on the support of those who love and care about me.
“I have been fortunate to have enormous help from family, friends and medical professionals throughout my illness and my recovery and for that, I am very grateful. I also realise how lucky I am, as the clues around heart disease were there, but I missed them.”
Alex has now raised over £54,000 for BHF.
Rose Smith, BHF fundraising manager for London, said: “I am absolutely in awe of Alex and what he has achieved. To take on such a challenge just one year after open heart surgery is inspiring enough – but to have also raised more than £50,000 to help fund lifesaving research for the BHF is incredible.
“He is also helping to raise awareness of the symptoms of a heart attack and this is a good reminder for people to always get checked out if they think there is something wrong. In the meantime, I hope Alex has a chance to rest and put his feet up after his trek – he definitely deserves it.”
For information about heart disease, including symptoms, and support, visit bhf.org.uk and to donate to Alex’s fundraiser, visit: justgiving.com/page/alexander-roth-1678476489962
