A competitive mountain biker who survived a serious heart attack is sharing his story as a warning to others to encourage routine screening for underlying cardiovascular conditions – in particular, people in peak fitness who consider themselves to be low risk.
Given his active lifestyle, writer and co-founder of mountain biking online platform Tread Media, Sean Badenhorst had no reason to suspect he was at risk of a heart attack in early September when he and his 19-year-old son, Cade, completed a race together.
“Crossing the finish line of my first gravel race, I suffered a heart attack. It certainly took me by surprise as I have never smoked, I hardly drink, I am not obese, and I am not diabetic. I’m 55 and have exercised consistently my whole life. I ride bicycles for 10 to 12 hours a week on average and I eat what is generally considered a healthy diet,” he recalls.
Dr Elias Zigiriadis, a cardiothoracic surgeon practising at Netcare Krugersdorp Hospital, says that while lifestyle factors play an important role in cardiovascular health, it is not possible to rule out the risk of heart attack or underlying coronary artery disease without regular screening.
“Even a person who is active, slim and feels perfectly healthy may have developed narrowed arteries without any noticeable symptoms over the years, and often there is a hereditary risk for coronary artery disease. Regular screenings for cholesterol levels, blood pressure and diabetes can help identify many of the risk factors and bring them under control before they become a medical emergency, as was Mr Badenhorst’s experience,” explains Dr Zigiriadis.
| Pic: Appreciation: Sean Badenhorst is pictured with Registered Nurse Gift Ntimane, one of the ICU-trained nurses who cared for him at Netcare Krugersdorp Hospital after his coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. |
| Pic: Avid mountain biker Sean Badenhorst was caught off guard by a heart attack and is sharing his story of survival to encourage others to check their heart health regularly. |
Three of the four arteries supplying Sean’s heart muscle had become dangerously narrowed; however, this was only detected when he suffered one of the most dangerous and potentially fatal types of heart attack: an inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). His condition was stabilised, but with the imminent risk of a second episode, Sean urgently needed triple heart bypass surgery, known as a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure.
Three weeks and a frightening episode of unstable angina chest pain later, Sean was transferred to Netcare Krugersdorp Hospital’s well-known cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) on the evening of Friday, 26 September, for the necessary preparation for his operation under the care of cardiologist Professor Nqoba Tsabedze and Dr Zigiriadis.
“Over the next few days, I was made to understand just how serious this surgery is. The doctors explained in detail what they needed to do, what to expect, and the risks involved in this kind of operation, emphasising the importance of thorough preparation before the surgery,” Sean says.
The preparation involved stopping the blood thinner Sean was prescribed after his heart attack to allow his blood viscosity, which refers to how thick or thin your blood is, to return to normal and reduce the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery. Two pints of Sean’s blood were drawn so that his own blood could be used for a transfusion during the procedure.
Sean mentally prepared himself for the operation. “My anaesthetist asked if I have close family, and advised that my wife Joanne should arrange to be with me before I went into surgery because it is such a serious operation.
“Although I was considered low risk, there is always a chance that something can go wrong. We both knew this, but decided instead to focus on my post-surgery process of regaining consciousness, then spending up to 15 hours on a ventilator. To me, this seemed like the most formidable part of the process,” Sean says.
During the coronary artery bypass grafting procedure, Dr Zigiriadis, assisted by Dr Patel and Dr Kobus Bronkhorst, removed healthy arteries in a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure from Sean’s chest and left leg and grafted them into their new position to replace his three blocked arteries and restore normal blood flow to the heart. During the six and a half hours of surgery, the functions of Sean’s heart and lungs were performed mechanically, then his heart resumed pumping while he remained on a ventilator as he regained consciousness.
“Besides suffering from mild claustrophobia, I have also experienced a few episodes of breathing anxiety. I mentally prepared for 15 hours on the ventilator, determined to try to be calm and trusting of the technology and the process.
I had asked Joanne to give me a countdown as the hours passed until I would be able to breathe for myself again.”
Under the watchful care of experienced cardiac ICU nurses Sr Gift, Sr Thuli and unit manager Sr Victoria, the hours slowly ticked past. When he was finally off the ventilator and able to speak, Sean expressed his appreciation to the nurse at his bedside: “I told her, ‘You helped me when I needed you, and I will always remember and appreciate you,” he recalls.
Sean expressed his thanks to the doctors in the public and private sectors who stabilised and cared for him before his surgery at Netcare Krugersdorp Hospital, and in particular to Prof Tsabedze, Dr Zigiriadis, Dr Patel, and anaesthetist Dr Pieter Bettings, for the successful lifesaving procedure. Sean also credits the support he received from his wife, Joanne, and his son, Cade, for seeking emergency medical attention, as integral to his survival and recovery.
“I will be on chronic medication and need occasional check-ups with my cardiologist, but I guess it’s a small price to pay for a second chance at life. The prognosis is good – I should be able to ride mountain bikes as I did before – as hard and as far as I feel I can,” Sean says.
He concludes by emphasising the importance of being proactive about heart health, even for the fit mountain biking community. “Book a health check with a GP, and specifically ask them to check your risk of heart disease. Simple blood tests and an electrocardiogram could help save you from a heart attack,” Sean encourages.
“I count myself fortunate to have survived my heart attack. I’m grateful to wake up each day and experience the joy of my family, pets, garden and nature. I know that it could have been so different, and I intend to use my experience to warn and educate others where I can.”
Ends.
Notes to editors
Experience seamless healthcare access with the Netcare app. Enjoy convenient healthcare anytime, anywhere, with expert medical care at your fingertips. Book appointments, consult with GPs virtually and
manage pre-admissions all in one place. From emergency response services with geolocation to seamless
admission, discover a new level of care. Download the Netcare app today.
Alternatively, contact Netcare appointmedTM on 0860 555 565, Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 to 17:00, or via the Netcare app to make an appointment with a therapist, doctor or specialist practising at a Netcare hospital, Netcare Medicross or Netcare Akeso facility near you.
For media enquiries, please contact MNA at the contact details listed below:
Issued by: MNA on behalf of the Netcare Krugersdorp Hospital
For media enquiries contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster,
Clementine Forsthofer or Natasha Burger
Telephone: 011 469 3016
Email: [email protected]