Tony (right) takes a breather with fellow cyclists
A cycling enthusiast who had heart surgery at The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC) has been following the Tour de France with particular interest this year.
As Bradley Wiggins and the other racers powered their way through the mountain passes of the Pyrenees, Tony Cox has been reliving his own personal achievement. In June he completed a gruelling 500 mile cycle ride from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean coast in France, to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
Tony's route through the Pyrenees
Nearly three years ago, Tony, 61, from Chelmsford, had a double coronary artery by-pass graft at The CTC, the specialist heart and lung centre at Basildon University Hospital. He had always been fit and active, and was walking in the Derbyshire Peak District when he first felt the warning signs of a heart condition.
He recalls: "It came on very suddenly. As I was walking up a hill, I got what I‟d describe as „red hot‟ pains across my chest, and I had to stop every 200 yards or so. Among the group I was with were a doctor and a nurse. They made sure I was all right, and told me to see my GP as soon as possible."
An angiography test revealed that Tony had two arteries which were 80 per cent blocked, and he was referred to Mr Inderpaul Birdi, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at The CTC.
He says: "I thought I would be able to have a stent fitted, but Mr Birdi explained that because the blockages were near a junction it would be advisable to have coronary artery by-pass surgery. He told me that the blockage was serious, but he was also very reassuring about the success rate of the surgery."
The operation was carried out in November 2009, and Tony has made an excellent recovery. He said: "It was a great shock to discover I had a heart condition, although I later realised there is a history of heart problems on my mother‟s side of the family. But if anything I am now fitter and stronger than ever."
To celebrate his clean bill of health, and to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, Tony decided to join friends from his cycling club on their adventure in France. The coast to coast route climbed 14,500 metres and included 14 Pyrenees mountain passes, some of which featured in the Tour de France.
He said: "Before this race I had not done anything as long or as tough. There were times I wished I hadn‟t gone, because it was very hard, but it was great.
Tony (right) takes a breather with fellow cyclists
"I was never worried about my heart; I checked first with my GP and a cardiologist and they reassured me that because the problem was solved early, there was no damage to my heart.
"I would say to anyone if they feel any chest pain, follow it up straight away. I think The CTC is a first rate facility, and we are lucky to have it in Essex."
Tony is an appointed governor at Basildon and Thurrock University NHS Foundation Trust, and deputy chair of NHS South Essex.
If you would like to support Tony‟s fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, go to
