A WOMAN has described the moment her police officer husband was found to have a dangerous heart defect and his life was at risk.
Lydia Allitt, 44, was in "total shock" when she was told that her husband had a faulty heart valve after a medical examination at work in 2015.
Tests revealed that he had been born with the defective valve, which meant that blood was leaking back into the heart, putting it under extra strain.
As a result, his heart muscle had stretched and thinned, putting Ryan’s life at risk.
Lydia, from Willingdon, Eastbourne, said: “The news was a total shock. At the time, I never imagined anything was wrong with Ryan or that he had such a dangerous condition.
“One of the doctors told us that if it had gone undiagnosed for another three months, he might not be here today.
“It was an incredibly scary time. Our daughter was just four years old.
“It was a big operation, and there were no guarantees about what the outcome would be.”
Following his diagnosis, Ryan, 43, had open heart surgery at Brighton County Hospital to replace his aortic heart valve.
He now takes medication to reduce his risk of a heart attack and of having a stroke and has had to change his career away from frontline policing.
While the diagnosis came as a surprise, there were signs of a problem with Ryan’s heart. Lydia said: “In the months before his diagnosis, Ryan had been feeling tired and fatigued. He just put it down to having a physically demanding job, a young family and getting a bit older.
“Now, we know it was a consequence of his faulty valve and the fact that his heart was having to work harder. I feel very lucky that Ryan had a job where he had to have a medical.”
Now, Lydia is completing the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) London to Brighton Off Road Bike Ride today, Saturday, September 17.
Grateful for the treatment and care her husband received, Lydia is hoping to raise £1,000 for the BHF by taking part in the charity’s London to Brighton Off Road Bike Ride with her brother and uncle.
The event will see over 2,700 people cycle 61 miles along tracks and trails from the capital to the coast.
Lydia, who is the financial director for her family’s construction firm, said: “I enjoy cycling but doing 60 miles off-road is going to be a real challenge, but knowing that I am doing it for a cause really motivates me.
“The BHF’s work changes people’s lives. Their research paved the way for operations like the one which saved Ryan’s life.
“By raising money for them now, I feel like I am giving back for help we received, I am also making sure that others can benefit in the future.”
Heart defects are the most common congenital anomaly in babies born in the UK.
Heart defects are diagnosed in at least one in 150 births – with more diagnoses later in life.
The BHF funds research into heart and circulatory diseases, including congenital heart conditions.
People can support Lydia’s fundraising online: justgiving.com/fundraising/lydia-allitt2
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