Fitness fanatic’s health warning after heart scare

A fitness fanatic who went from being unable to walk after a lifesaving heart operation to becoming a professional body builder now wants to encourage others to look after their health.

Neil Andrews, 45, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a near-fatal heart infection in 2022, and recorded a video for his daughter ahead of the urgent operation which he was told he might not survive.

He went from losing 20kg (44lb) during a two-and-a-half month hospital stay, and needing help to walk, to getting his professional bodybuilding card.

“You reap what you sow, daily. Just look after your health and body and it will look after you,” he said.

Before his health scare, he spent many years as an amateur bodybuilder, winning the Mr Wales award 12 times.

But in March 2022 he fell ill, and visited Singleton Hospital in Swansea initially thinking he had flu or a virus, before tests revealed there was bacteria in his blood.

He was later diagnosed with a heart condition called infective endocarditis of the aortic valve that required immediate life-saving surgery.

Mr Andrews said doctors told him he had “been in acute heart failure for two weeks”, and was only alive because of his high level of physical fitness.

He said Dr Afzal Zaidi, the surgeon who treated him, told him: “I’d get your affairs in order because you are in a bad way.”

It was then that he recorded a video for his daughter and wrote a will on his phone because he did not think he would survive the surgery.

Dr Zaidi said his ’ aortic valve had been “completely destroyed” by the infection, and he was “on the verge of death”.

He has since made a “fantastic recovery”, thanks to his own determination and the help of medical staff, Dr Zaidi said.

Mr Andrews said he needed help to walk after the operation, praising the work of the physio therapy team.

“I started off walking to the end of the ward. Then I was walking to the end of the corridor.

"Then I would walk to main reception. Then I would walk out of the hospital and around the perimeter every day,” he said.

“Every day it got a bit better and better.”

Having previously taken part in amateur bodybuilding, he said he went back to it to aid his recovery.

He then decided to start taking part competitively, and this year won a British champion title, and was granted his professional card.

Mr Andrews said he wanted to share his story to thank the “unbelievable” staff who saved his life, while also encouraging others to prioritise their health and fitness.

“It blows my mind that people think this vessel, our physique, is going to carry you to the end of time. You wouldn’t not service your car - it’s going to break down at some point,” he said.

“Try and have the same attitude to your daily health goals and be as fit and healthy as possible.”