Andrew Streahon

My Story

I am Andrew Streahorn and I am the Deputy Secretary for Heart Failure Warriors N.I.

On 22nd December 2022 I was at my brother’s house trying to organize Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations – well, that was the plan.  However, during the early hours of 23rd December I wakened with severe chest pain.  My neighbour helped me to get to my local GP and I was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in a cardiac ambulance.  I was experiencing a major heart attack – I was only 47 years old at the time and I was fairly healthy, a heart attack was the last thing I was expecting.  I spent the entire Christmas period in a hospital bed. 

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Before leaving the hospital I was told that I was in heart failure (reduced ejection fraction).On the day that I left the hospital I was handed a large bag of drugs along with a couple of pamphlets.

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During the next few days my mind played all sorts of tricks with me.  It was a difficult time – both physically and mentally.  I had a chat to members of cardiac rehab team and they were able to answer my questions and alleviate some of my fears, but my mind continue to play tricks with me.

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Several months ago the Heart Failure team set up a meeting in the Belmont Hotel for people who had been diagnosed with heart failure.  This was the start of Heart Failure Warriors N.I.

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It has had such a positive impact on me – to be able to talk to people that have gone (and are going) through the same experience as me, and who have the same worries as me.  As a committee we aim to help a lot more people with a similar diagnosis.

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