A ‘SUPER-FIT’ runner died of a heart attack after his chest pains were dismissed as indigestion and heartburn, an inquest heard.
Kristian Hudson, 42, collapsed and died while out jogging at a reservoir in Huddersfield, , in March this year.
Kristian Hudson, 42, collapsed and died of a heart attack while out runningCredit: SWNS
His mum said the family were devastated at the loss and he ‘was the fittest man on the planet’Credit: SWNS
Just weeks earlier, the keen marathon runner, cyclist and former Jiu-Jitsu champion had visited hospital complaining of chest pains.
But as his symptoms had initially occurred after a meal, medics incorrectly deemed it as ““.
An inquest heard Kristian was actually suffering from prior to his death at Wessenden Head Reservoir.
One of the common symptoms of indigestion is , a painful burning feeling in the chest.
Chest pain from heart disease and attacks can be mistaken for this minor symptom, though this is very rare.
The hearing in Bradford was told his symptoms had not been assessed in accordance with recognised .
A coroner found Kristian’s condition could have been treated in time if a simple muscle protein test had been carried out at New Cross Hospital in .
West Yorkshire Western Assistant Coroner Caroline Chandler said: “Contrary to recommended guidance, a was not undertaken which may have identified his heart disease and as such he did not receive treatment.
“Had appropriate escalation of his treatment occurred it is possible on the balance of probabilities his heart disease could have been identified and treated and he would not have died when he did.”
Cardiovascular disease causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK, with more than 170,000 deaths every year, according to the (BHF).
The BHF estimates there are more than 7.6 million people living with a cardiovascular disease in the UK.
After the inquest, his mum Debra said the family were devastated at the loss and he “was the fittest man on the planet”.
Kristian, a call handler for West Midlands Police, ran marathons, was a keen cyclist and a former Jiu-Jitsu champion when he lived in .
Debra said: “Ever since Kristian was a small child, other than Chickenpox, he was never ill and never had time off school.
“He never had a cough or cold, flu, upset stomach, headache, etc. absolutely nothing – his friends called him the fittest man on the planet and colleagues said he had a zest for life people could only dream of.
“The records of when he visited New Cross on February 14 show they passed it off as an indigestion type pain and the ECG came back as normal which we now know it wasn’t, but there is no signed record of it available.
“The inquest has reinforced our view that the trust and senior staff at New Cross have questions to answer over Kristian’s death – nothing will bring him back but an investigation or action could prevent future deaths of a similar nature.
“It is heartbreaking to think Kristian lost his life because people didn’t do their jobs properly.
“We’d like to see some accountability in the hope no other families have to suffer this same way.
“There never seems to be any accountability for individuals who make these decisions resulting in catastrophic consequences.
“It appears they get a bit more training and told not to do it again. That wouldn’t happen in any other profession.”
While NHS guidance states that “most chest pain is not a sign of anything serious”, it does urge people to seek medical advice “just in case”.
It adds: “Get immediate medical help if you think you’re having a heart attack.”
Chest pain is often a symptom of something else.
The NHS advises that chest pain may be caused by things like heartburn or indigestion, chest sprain or strain, anxiety, panic attack, chest infection, pneumonia, or even shingles.
It also says that people experiencing severe chest pain symptoms which occur suddenly, and may spread to your left or right arm, should call 999 straight away, as “you could be having a heart attack”.
If you experience chest pains which come and go, the NHS still advises you to speak to your GP “to make sure it’s nothing serious”.
The West Yorkshire Western area coroner has now given the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust until Friday (19/12) to respond to its findings.
Joe Chadwick-Bell, group chief executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Mr Hudson’s family.
“Due to ongoing discussions, we are unable to comment further at this time. “
Why does cardiac arrest occur?
A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood around your body.
It is caused by a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), which happens when the electrical system in the heart isn’t working properly, the British Heart Foundation says.
“Not all abnormal heart rhythms are life-threatening, but some mean that the heart cannot pump blood around the body,” the charity explains.
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is an example of a dangerous heart rhythm that can lead to a cardiac arrest.
This is when the heart quivers or ‘fibrillates’ instead of pumps.
Some conditions can cause abnormal heart rhythms and in turn, a cardiac arrest if they’re severe or left untreated:
- cardiomyopathies (disease of the heart muscle) and inherited heart conditions which affect the electrical system of the heart, such as Brugada syndrome
- congenital heart disease – a heart condition or defect you get before you’re born
- heart valve disease – when one or more of your heart valves don’t work properly
- severe or untreated myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle.
Other causes of cardiac arrest include a heart attack, a severe haemorrhage (losing a large amount of blood), a drop in oxygen levels or a drug overdose.
Source: British Heart Foundation
Kristian was a keen cyclist and marathon runnerCredit: SWNS
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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