A grandfather from Monifieth, Scotland, has been commemorated with a bench along the banks of the River Tay after a remarkable display of resilience. John Smith, 57, walked his daughter Lauren Smith down the aisle just hours after being discharged from hospital following a second heart attack.
In April 2023, John experienced his first heart attack. He faced a second in December 2023, just days before Lauren’s wedding. Remarkably, he left the hospital at 13:30 on the day before the ceremony, enabling him to fulfil his duties as father of the bride.
“It’s a message that even after devastating health events, there can be joy, connection, and meaningful experiences ahead,” John stated. He expressed hope that the bench would serve as a “symbol of hope” and help raise awareness about cardiac disease.
The bench installation is part of a national campaign by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to mark the charity’s 65th anniversary. As part of this initiative, 65 red benches are being unveiled across the UK in honour of those living with cardiovascular disease, including five in Scotland. Each bench represents a personal story, highlighting the impact of heart conditions on individuals and families.
Statistics reveal the severity of cardiovascular disease in the UK, where someone dies from the condition every three minutes. In Scotland alone, it affects over 730,000 people. A recent survey commissioned by the BHF involving 2,000 adults revealed that over half of respondents felt judged or embarrassed about their condition.
John, a former Scotland hockey player and triathlete, shared that the emotional toll of his heart attacks was far more challenging than the physical recovery. “I was discharged from hospital at 13:30 on Friday, and 24 hours later, I walked my daughter down the aisle and was able to do my speech,” he recounted. Despite appearing physically well after receiving stents, he faced mental health challenges that kept him from returning to work for several months.
“I received stents both times, and from the outside, I looked healthy and well, but inside I was grieving the loss of my former self—a multiple Ironman triathlete,” he explained. “There was a recognisable shift in my mood, behaviour, and overall demeanour which led to a downward spiral where I began to feel even more depressed.”
John found solace through counselling and reading testimonials on the BHF website. He noted, “I remember seeing someone who’d had a heart attack, although they’d been fit and healthy all their lives. It showed them playing with their kids and gave me hope that I could get through this.”
The BHF has played a crucial role in improving survival rates for heart attack patients. In 1961, the survival rate from heart attacks was around 30%, but with advances in research and treatment, that figure has now improved significantly, with seven in ten patients surviving.
David McColgan, head of the BHF Scotland, emphasised the importance of sharing personal stories like John’s. “Despite being one of the UK’s biggest killers, our findings show cardiovascular disease is still misunderstood or not taken seriously,” he noted. The charity hopes that the red benches will encourage conversations that challenge misconceptions about heart disease.
As John reflects on his journey, he expresses gratitude for the support he has received and the opportunity to share his story. “Hopefully, one day I’ll be able to sit on my bench and have packed lunches with Rory,” he said, referring to his grandson who was born in May 2023.
The installation of the bench not only honours John’s journey but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for awareness and understanding of cardiovascular disease, which can affect anyone at any time.
