Derry man on why he's giving back after 'living nightmare' and surviving two cardiac arrests

A Northern Ireland man has opened up about surviving two cardiac arrests and frequent shocks from his implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) over the past four years.

Alex Magee, a university lecturer from Derry, was at his peak fitness in February 2020, while on an expedition in Germany when he suffered his first cardiac arrest.

The 46-year-old, who teaches at Atlantic Technology University in Sligo and is also a self-employed Construction Manager, was sitting in the rest room on completion of an expedition in Germany when he collapsed, however he came around and was taken to hospital by medics.

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He said: “I suspected that I was either over-exhausted or dehydrated. Later I learnt that I had my first of two cardiac arrests. Thankfully because of the quick actions of the medical staff, I survived.”

By June 2020, the 46-year-old began getting his life back to normal with walking challenges for charity. Alex said: “I was so used to being fit and healthy for all my adult life and began to feel hopeful that the issue with my heart was stabilised by the ICD. I desperately wanted to live a normal life again.”

Life was going relatively well for Alex until mid-2021 when he started feeling unwell again and was receiving regular shocks from his ICD, which he says became a “living nightmare”.

He said: “In February 2023 I took myself into Altnagelvin hospital Emergency department because I decided I couldn’t live with the situation anymore. The increasing episodes of my ICD going off was having a detrimental effect on my mental health and well-being. I was scared to fall asleep at night as I would wake up sometimes just before my ICD would go off or I woke up with fear that it was going to.”

Alex was put back on medication but was unable to tolerate it and was referred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for further review and follow up. He had his ICD replaced and was put on new medication. All tests Alex had showed no signs of heart disease. He hopes to have some further testing carried out in the future to try and get clarification on the root cause of his experience.

He said: “For four years I didn’t know from one day to the next day whether I was going to go into cardiac arrest. With my new ICD and medication, I am once again getting back to normal and working on my fitness and doing what I love. My experience has encouraged me to want to help others in a similar position.

“I want to get my message out there to help support anyone living with a heart condition to be strong, get help if you need it and stay positive. Even when it seems like your world has ended, it can actually be the start of a new chapter.”

Alex is now taking on a one million step challenge to raise funds for British Heart Foundation NI. He plans to walk the equivalent distance of the length and breadth of Ireland, approximately 470 miles during July and August and is encouraging people in the local community to join him.

He adds: “I would like to share my experiences and maybe something that I have mentioned triggers others, and I want to help the BHF raise funds which may help treat and/or cure heart conditions. I would encourage anyone who lives locally and would like to join me on one of my walks to get in touch on my JustGiving page.

“The BHF has a wide range of services and assistance for people like me and many other cardiac conditions. They strive for change, funding research into heart conditions and raising awareness of CPR and defibrillators which ultimately save lives. Every step I walk is the first step someone takes to recovery. Always step forward and never step back. Every time I take a step it is for you.”

Fearghal McKinney, head of BHF NI said: “Alex has been through such a difficult time over the past four years and his strength in recovery and bravery in telling his story around his heart health really is commendable.

“I would encourage everyone to put their best foot forward to support Alex, whether through donating to help fund our lifesaving research or by joining him in his incredible challenge. We wish Alex the very best of luck and support.”

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