Kent woman to fundraise after father’s undetected heart disease

A Kent woman whose father died of undetected heart disease is raising funds and awareness to help save others’ lives in the future.

Michelle Brown, from Herne Bay, was 21 when her father died.

A post-mortem found that he had coronary heart disease, affecting the arteries to his heart, as well as a blood clot in his main artery.

His death had a profound impact on Ms Brown’s life, who now works with the cardiology team at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate, co-ordinating appointments for people to have pacemakers and other devices fitted.

“I feel encouraged that if it had happened today, my dad would be able to have treatment and would most likely survive,” she said.

“He has missed out on so much. He never met my son, and didn’t get to see me marry. But I hope by raising money I can help other families avoid being in the same situation.”

The 51-year-old is to take on the Kent Downs 50 Challenge in October – a 31-mile (50km) trek – in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

She said: “My dad was only 46 when he died and I don’t want anyone else to have to lose someone to heart disease if it can be prevented.”

After a 30-year career in finance, Ms Brown moved into a career In healthcare, initially as a healthcare assistant in the Deal ward at the QEQM.

Back problems meant she had to give up working on the wards, and she has moved into her current role.

She said: “I have been able to see some of the scans they can do now and learn about the interventions available.

“So many people now survive heart disease and I hope by raising money it will go towards more research so even more can survive in the future.”