Plumber tells how clogged arteries transformed his life

Cut out the sodas, greasy food, and don’t drink or smoke — heart attack victim Davis Tannock says it’s never too late to lose the bad habits.

Mr Tannock, a former plumber, suffered a heart attack 14 years ago, at the age of 66. Since then he has changed his life, adopting a healthier diet and lifestyle.

“I went to the hospital and they kept me in for a few days, for tests,” he said.

Diabetic

“The doctor found out I had a blocked artery and so they flew me to Lahey Clinic in Boston, for further diagnosis and treatment.

“It turned out that I had four blocked arteries. I was diagnosed with angina and was signed off work for about three months.

“The medical staff told me I was suffering from stress but I’m a diabetic, so that contributed to it.

“When I came back to Bermuda I couldn’t do anything or lift anything.

“When I started doing things I got out of breath and had to stop.”

Since the attack, Mr Tannock, of Smith’s, has had a check-up every six months.

Two years later he also underwent an operation for another blocked artery.

“I’ve had to change my diet and can no longer eat any greasy foods such as butter, cheese or milk, plus other things which can clog up the arteries,” he said.

“I also have to do more exercise.

“The experience has changed my outlook on life. I’ve had a hard time but I have come through it and my health is good at the moment.

“The advice I would give anyone is, ‘Don’t drink or smoke. Stay away from greasy foods and drink fewer drinks which contain sugar, such as sodas’.

“If you’re a diabetic this will also affect your blood. And if you have high blood pressure all this sugar can contribute to a heart attack, so you have to be careful what you do.”

Mr Tannock now attends a diabetes clinic and has recently enrolled on seniors’ courses in line dancing and stretching at Bermuda College.

“You must get plenty of exercise and be careful in what you eat, drink and do,” he said.

For more information on the seniors' courses at Bermuda College and on the Bermuda Government's  Community Education and Development Programme classes, see www.communityed.gov.bm or call 292-7735.