The grieving sister of an 'amazing' single dad who died suddenly from suspected heart disease has urged others to be aware of underlying symptoms.
Chris Ross was found dead on the floor of his Inverness home by his sister on March 11, 2022, aged just 39. He had been isolating at home after testing positive for Covid-19 a week before his death, and had been suffering from shortness of breath, tiredness and swollen hands.
His younger sister Amy MacKinnon said her 'fit and healthy' brother put all his symptoms down to the virus. Following the tragedy, medics told Chris' family they suspected the father-of-one had suffered a possible heart attack and had underlying heart disease which ultimately led to his death.
Amy, one of three siblings and also from Inverness, told the Record: "He had Covid the week before he passed away and complained of being short of breath, tiredness and having swollen hands. When you have Covid, you put how you feel down to the virus.
"We hadn't heard from him in a couple of days so my sister went round to check on him and she found him dead. He was still so young and had his whole life ahead of him.
"He was a cheeky chap who would wind people up but he was very honest and caring too. It has been really difficult."
The family has urged others to have symptoms such as tiredness, chest pains and body aches checked out by a GP and believe if Chris had, he may still be alive. Amy continued: "It makes us wonder, if he had gone to the doctors would he still be here?
"If you're experiencing something that isn't normal to your body, get it checked out. You never know what it could be. There's no history of heart problems in our family so his cause of death was a shock to us. He was otherwise fit and healthy."
Chris, who was a roofer, is survived by his now eight-year-old son Alfie who "asks about his daddy every day".
Amy added: "It has been hard for Alfie, he was only 7. Having to tell him his daddy passed away was difficult, I can still remember his scream to this day.
"Chris was a good father figure and an amazing dad to Alfie, who absolutely doted on him. There is not a day that goes by where he doesn't talk about or ask for his daddy."
On the lead up to the first anniversary of her brother's death, Amy is preparing to run the Inverness half marathon to raise funds for Crocus Highland - a bereavement support service for children and young people in the local area.
Amy said: "Alfie is getting help from Crocus Highland, who are supporting him and helping him to process his dad's death. He's enjoying going and feels like he can open up with them. I'll be taking on the challenge the day after the anniversary of Chris' death. His memory will keep me going."
According to the NHS, breathlessness, fatigue, swollen limbs, and feeling lightheaded as the most common symptoms of heart failure. If you begin to suffer from any of these symptoms very suddenly or severely, the NHS urges you to call 999 or go to your nearest accident and emergency department.
Donate to Amy's fundraiser by visiting here.
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