Darren Lehmann says he hopes Shane Warne’s death encourages Aussie men to get a heart check

Aussie cricketer Darren Lehmann, 52, the same age as Shane Warne when he died, suffered a heart attack on his 50th birthday.

Aussie cricketer and coach Darren Lehmann believes Shane Warne’s tragic death could help save lives by raising awareness of cardiovascular health.

Like Warne, he too had a heart attack at a young age.

He considered himself “lucky to be alive” after the incident two years ago.

He said some good could come out of Warne’s death if it encouraged others to get their hearts checked.

“Out of a tragedy some good could come, it could save other people’s lives,” Lehmann told News Corp.

“I think his family would be wanting people to get themselves checked too. They wouldn’t want others to suffer a loss like they have.”

Darren Lehmann suffered a heart attack on his 50th birthday. Picture: Heart Foundation

He said while Warne’s life should be celebrated, it was also a good opportunity to raise awareness around heart attacks and how it can strike people at a young age.

Lehmann, 52, the same age as Warne when he died, suffered a heart attack in his Gold Coast hotel room on his 50th birthday.

He was also a smoker.

“I woke at 4.30am with the sweats and a really tight chest,” he said.

“I thought to myself perhaps I’ll have a cig to make myself feel better, but I couldn’t even do that,” he said.

“I felt that bad.”

Darren Lehmann with Shane Warne after their team's victory on the fifth and final day of the final test match between Sri Lanka and Australia in Colombo, 28 March 2004. Picture: AFP

Lehmann called a doctor and an ambulance who took him to hospital where he underwent a triple bypass which saved his life.

He has since given up smoking and got fit.

He said if people have any heart symptoms they “shouldn’t muck around and get checked out”.

“As males we are hopeless at getting ourselves checked,” he said.

“If you are feeling a little bit off, don’t delay, see a doctor.”

Lehmann said he supported the Heart Foundation’s call for the federal government to keep subsidising heart checks through Medicare.

He said potentially it was a good idea to have your first heart check before the age of 50, considering he suffered a heart attack on his 50th birthday.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” he said.

Warne’s friend Eddie McGuire – who is tipped to be the master of ceremonies at the MCG memorial – also called on men to take their health seriously.

“It’s important for everyone to look after their health,” McGuire said.

“We are so lucky to have one of the best and accessible health systems in the world. Do the right thing by yourself and your family, get the warnings and heed them.

“Make it a part of your schedule,” he said.