Eight cardiac arrests and the end of a World Cup dream

– Two Northern Ireland sports stars share the impact of living with cardiovascular disease as part of a British Heart Foundation campaign –

Two renowned and highly decorated sports stars from Northern Ireland have revealed how cardiovascular disease forced them into retirement.

Derry GAA All Star Kevin McCloy suffered eight cardiac arrests after collapsing on the pitch in 2014.

Ulster and Ireland rugby prop Simon Best was struck down at the 2007 World Cup in France when it was discovered he had an irregular heart rhythm.

Kevin and Simon have now joined forces to share their stories on living with cardiovascular disease as part of British Heart Foundation’s ‘Keep Us Beating’ campaign.

Kevin was playing in a county Championship match 12 years ago for his club Lavey against Magherafelt at Owenbeg when he fell to the ground just 10 minutes into the game.

It was at this moment that the 35-year-old suffered his first cardiac arrest.

Kevin had to be put into a medically induced coma for several days but his life was saved thanks to actions of doctors on the scene in Owenbeg and a nearby defibrillator.

While he was in hospital for surgery, Kevin had another cardiac arrest on the operating table and doctors inserted an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) in Kevin’s chest.

Once he returned home, Kevin’s life changed dramatically and he was forced to retire from his beloved Gaelic football, and was, in fact, advised that he couldn’t continue with any intensive activity.

Twelve months after his first cardiac arrest, Kevin’s health deteriorated again and his heart function dropped to the extent where his cardiologist began discussions around considering him for a heart transplant.

However after further investigations, in 2018, Kevin was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis which is an inflammatory disease affecting the heart muscle.

Kevin will never forget the day his life was turned upside down and indeed his heart actually stopped working for seven minutes.

“I was a Gaelic footballer playing at the highest level, Derry county level for 12 years, and for my club, Lavey for 18 years,” says Kevin.

“It was 2014, I was 35 and playing in a Championship match, a very important game.

“Ten minutes in without any prior symptoms, I collapsed on the pitch. The next thing I remember is when I woke from an induced coma in Altnagelvin Hospital several days later.

“There were two or three doctors at the match who were spectators and the event ambulance who came to my aid. They realised I’d gone into cardiac arrest and the doctors started CPR and used a defibrillator to attempt to restart my heart.

“I’m told that my heart stopped for seven minutes in total, before the defibrillator restarted it and helped to save my life. After three days I was taken out of the induced coma to check if I had brain injuries from the cardiac arrest and I was so fortunate that due to the quick CPR and defibrillation by the spectators and ambulance staff, my life was saved.

“I was then transferred to Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital, to undergo surgery but I had another cardiac arrest on operating table. They had to implant an ICD in my chest to help manage the life-threatening rhythms I was having.

“I left hospital three or four days afterwards and my life changed forever.”

Kevin admits he struggled to come to terms with what had happened to him and how he’d gone from being a fit, elite sportsperson to a dad unsure if he even had the energy to play with his children.

“It was a difficult time as while my family and I were so thankful that I’d been given another chance at life, I had to get used to a new normal,” concedes Kevin.

“After playing an intense sport, I was extremely passionate about at the highest level, I was told not to exercise.

“I couldn’t yet return to work, and I didn’t even know if it was safe for me to take kids out by myself. My life was turned on its head.

“Within six months, with the support of my family and doctor, I got my confidence back and started exercising again, running 8-9 minute miles.

“However a year later my heart function had deteriorated and my cardiologist said I had heart failure.”

A heart transplant was now a serious option for Kevin, but he felt this was a drastic measure and needed to be convinced.

“I was sent for tests to see if I was ready to go to Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and be eligible for a heart transplant – that was such a hard pill to swallow,” states Kevin.

“I was only 37 years old at the time with four young kids under the age of six and couldn’t accept that this was the only option so I opted to get a second opinion with further testing.

“This took a significant amount of time to do all the tests required and in 2018, I was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis which is an inflammatory disease.

“The left chamber of my heart was badly scarred from the condition, only working about 25% of its capacity and scarring between the two chambers meant they weren’t working in sequence.

“That led to a fairly intensive treatment of steroids and I had to spend a week in hospital, during which time I had three further cardiac arrests.

“It was a terrifying experience for me and my family as I didn’t know what the future held.

“The doctors had to change the medication and then once I settled down, I was put on immunosuppressants. They don’t know the cause, they say a lot of it can come from stress but that the sarcoidosis was attacking one of the chambers of my heart unknowingly and possibly for a long period of time.

“Since my diagnosis and treatment after about two years, things began to settle down although I have experienced several episodes with the ICD shocking me due to a dangerously high heart rate known as Ventricular Fibrillation.

“Once I get a shock it leaves me completely floored for weeks, physically and psychologically and my family life is affected.”

Kevin has now been retired from top level sport for 12 years but still finds it difficult to accept that cardiovascular disease brought an end to his sports career and brought so much change to his home life.

He still retains an immense passion for Gaelic football and Kevin is now able to channel his focus into coaching.

He adds: “I was 35 when I had my first cardiac arrest and as I was still playing high level sports, I had no other option but to retire.

“There was a massive void from giving up what was a way of life for me since I was a child and I found it hard to fill that void.

“With any sports person playing at the highest level, you need adrenaline and that’s what led me to coaching. While it is not by any means a replacement for playing, it still offers me a competitive outlet and over time I’ve learnt to accept a new normal.

“As well as sport, it also impacted my home life. I was always very active at home, always on the go fixing and improving things around the house but I’ve now had to employ people to do those physical jobs that it was only natural for me to do. It’s a big adjustment, mentally.

“People look at me and think I’m a picture of health but they don’t see the impact of cardiovascular disease.

“I had two young kids at 35 when I had my first cardiac arrest and I now have four under 14. I enjoy family life but I’m not fit to do all the things I would like to do with the kids, going for a bike ride or playing soccer – I have to stand in goals. Every time my ICD goes off it takes me a long time to get over it.

“The future could mean a heart transplant. However, I’ve got used to my new normal and I’m managing to stay healthy with carefully managing my medication and ICD.

“I’m so thankful for all of the support I’ve received. From the spectators at the match who saved my life after my cardiac arrest to The Cormac Trust who had provided the club defibrillator that was used to restart by heart.

“Twelve years on from my cardiac arrest, I now have six monthly check-ups.

“I’m also now at the stage where I’m very aware of my own body and any unusual symptoms and know when to get medical help.

“My wife is fantastic in helping me keep a close eye on all of my medications and providing daily support.”

Kevin, having experienced so much, fully supports the British Heart Foundation and the pioneering research they conduct.

He admits: “I would hope with my particular diagnosis, that there is more funding for research into cardiac sarcoidosis and what causes it to try to find a cure for it.

“To repair my heart would seem like an impossible task. That’s why the research work that British Heart Foundation does is of vital importance. The difference even in my treatment options from the time of my cardiac arrest and diagnosis to now has been incredible, and that’s only 12 years.

“With more funding for research into cardiovascular disease and increased awareness of its impact, I’m hopeful for the future that better treatments and quite possibly cures can be found.”

Meanwhile, Simon Best was an Ireland international at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.

The Ulster Rugby star was 30 years old and felt in great shape, ready to play his part as Ireland prepared to progress through the tournament.

However he suddenly took ill between pool games experiencing a headache, difficulty speaking, and loss of sensation down his right side while walking, which was later diagnosed as a TIA (transient ischaemic attack).

Suddenly, not only was his tournament over, but also his career as when he was diagnosed with a irregular heart rhythm, doctors advised him to quit professional rugby, due to its high intensity.

Simon says: “My first experience was completely out of the blue. I had a medical event at the Rugby World Cup in 2007, it was mid-week between pool games, I was at peak fitness, it was the biggest competition of my career.

“I had a TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack or ‘mini-stroke’) and was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. I was very fortunate I was in Bordeaux surrounded by the Ireland Rugby medical team and cardiologists in the local hospitals.

“But unfortunately it was the end of my rugby career. I had a period of trying to get to the bottom of what happened.

“I had stroke symptoms for nine hours, and after that everything resolved apart from the irregular heartbeat.

“I had no previous signs or symptoms of any illness or heart problems The symptoms came on fairly quickly, I was confused and felt quite exhausted suddenly and at first I thought I might be having a stoke.

“Fortunately I was in really good hands and the Ireland rugby team doctor reacted really quickly.”

Simon spent six days in a French hospital, and even though his symptoms disappeared after 36 hours, numerous tests were conducted on him.

For the next 12 months he was put on different medications before opting to take a different course of action.

He concedes: “The medical team advised that as every case is very different, there were three options for me – I could remain on medication for life, have ablation surgery or come off the medication and continue routine monitoring.

“Due to my age at the time and the fact I was at peak fitness levels, I chose to go without medication and I’m thankful that I haven’t had any further symptoms.

“The most important thing in my case was that I received treatment and prevention early on as soon as I experienced symptoms. I now have checks every three to five years.

“It was far from an easy decision to make to retire from international rugby because of the diagnosis, as I was at such a high level of competition.“However, I also had to take into account my family history. My grandfather had died early of a heart attack, and my father has had some heart issues. I therefore recognised the impact of cardiovascular disease.”

Simon concedes he found giving up the game he loved very difficult to accept.

He’d just turned 30, was recently married and felt he had a good few years left playing top flight rugby for Ulster and Ireland.

“When you go through a serious health issue, getting perspective is important and this led me to realise that when one chapter closes, another one opens,” adds Simon.

“My cardiologist understood the gravity of the decision and what had caused my heart issue wasn’t black and white. He referred to occasions where there was rationale to continue such a high intensity physical career, but that comes with risk.

“With that in mind and with respect to the career that I’d had (playing for Ulster and Ireland) and taking time to reflect on it, I made probably the most important decision of my career.

“Thankfully, it was supported by my team-mates, coaches and Ulster Rugby.”

Simon accepts that he was fortunate to suffer his cardiac event at a major sporting tournament, where the best medical help was on hand.

He is fully supportive of the British Heart Foundation’s research into cardiovascular disease and hopes the general public continues to donate generously to fund this valuable work.

“I recognise that as I was a high profile case at the Rugby World Cup in France, this helped a lot as information and advice was readily available to me,” says Simon.

“I would encourage anyone who has any symptoms that are concerning to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

“I was young and at my peak physical fitness and possibly the pinnacle of my sporting career when I got my diagnosis of an irregular heartbeat.

“I want to raise awareness that there is no ‘one size fits all’ for cardiovascular disease – it can affect any person at any time in their life and its impact is often life-changing.

“It’s so important that the great work British Heart Foundation does continues to receive support and that there is increased funding for its research to help improve treatments and find cures for cardiovascular disease.”

Simon and Kevin, after all they’ve experienced, are proud to share their story for British Heart Foundation’s ‘Keep Us Beating’ campaign.

To mark 65 years since British Heart Foundation began, the charity has unveiled 65 red benches across the UK in tribute to those living with cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks.

Behind every bench is a powerful real-life story of someone living with a cardiovascular condition – and thanks to research, they can survive to enjoy life with their loved ones.

Every day, around 12 people in Northern Ireland die from cardiovascular disease, with the condition affecting more than 230,000 people in Northern Ireland.

British Heart Foundation hopes that the red benches will encourage others to open up about their experience of living with cardiovascular disease and help raise awareness in Northern Ireland.

The charity is also urging people for donations so they can help fund more groundbreaking research to keep Northern Ireland’s hearts beating.

Fearghal McKinney, Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland said:

“Kevin and Simon’s stories show the true reality of the devastating impact cardiovascular disease can have, both on their careers and home life and we are so grateful that they have courageously shared their experience to help others.

“Despite being one of Northern Ireland’s biggest killers, we have found that cardiovascular disease is still misunderstood or not taken seriously – and that those living with it face judgement and challenges.

“By sharing the stories of people who live with cardiovascular disease on our iconic red benches in Northern Ireland, we hope to start more conversations that change dangerous misconceptions. Research will help us save and improve more lives, but the only way we can fund the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow is thanks to the public’s generous donations.”

Every day, around 12 people in Northern Ireland die from cardiovascular disease. Donate now to keep Northern Ireland beating – visit bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/in-your-area/northern-ireland/keep-northern-ireland-beating