Council worker reveals how he lost 22kg and quit smoking, alcohol after heart attack

Chris Harrison started smoking at just nine years of age and describes enjoying a drink and eating fast food all the time, despite a family history of heart disease. This is the moment everything changed.

Before my heart attack three years ago at the age of 52, a typical day would start around 5am with several cups of black coffee.

No food.

My first cigarette was around 6am.

As a council worker, I mainly worked outside.

This meant I could smoke as much as I wanted.

I generally wouldn’t eat until around 11am, something fast, usually chosen from a bain-marie: egg, bacon, chorizo, chips. And salt, always salt.

I would walk a lot during my day, but always in short bursts and at a slow pace.

This allowed time for more cigarettes. I often say I was in a 42-year toxic relationship with smoking.

That might sound like a long time but I had my first cigarette when I was aged just nine.

Lunch was generally a high carbohydrate meal – sandwiches, pasta or rice. I also spent a fair bit of the day in the car, both for work and commuting. Snacks and drive-throughs were an easy solution to any cravings.

Chris Harrison in hospital after his heart attack.

Dinner was often made at home, but was high in carbohydrates and saturated fats and often was eaten close to bedtime.

Each day would be a repeat of this behaviour. I was drinking regularly too.

When I was promoted to compliance officer (an office-based position) six years ago, the only thing that changed was unfortunately doing much less intermittent exercise.

Alongside all of this, there was my strong family history of heart disease.

My father had died at just 38. I had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes two years earlier.

But the negative behaviour and opportunity to smoke cigarettes continued.

Until … …

In the days leading to my heart attack, I had undergone a routine angiogram.

I was 52 at the time and was waiting for the results when my GP called one evening. That phone call changed everything.

While we were speaking, I mentioned that I was experiencing a headache, chest pains and other worrying symptoms.

He recognised the signs immediately and urged me to go straight to hospital.

My GP saved my life that night on the phone.

Safe to say he’s on my Christmas card list.

Having a GP in your corner makes all the difference.

I blacked out while being assessed at hospital.

A blood test showed my troponin levels – a protein found in the heart’s muscle – were through the roof, which is indicative of a heart attack.

Surgeons performed a quadruple bypass.

I was in hospital for 18 days and spent a further nine weeks recovering at home.

The immediate recovery from the bypass surgery and the associated pain and discomfort was all I could think of.

Chris Harrison was told by doctors and nurses he needed to overhaul his lifestyle.

I had been in the presence of doctors, nurses and specialists for weeks, I had been told, advised, warned and cajoled all during that time about how I ended up in the position I was in and how change was my only remedy if I wanted to avoid the a more permanent outcome next time this happened. Because there would be a next time.

Stopping smoking was easy. I had a heart attack. I had open heart surgery.

I lay in a bed recovering with tubes coming from my chest. I think I lost the physical craving for cigarettes during this time.

I was bed bound and in no shape to nick downstairs and across the street from the emergency room for a sneaky one.

The mental cravings were, and are, different.

I would dream about cigarettes and smoking them. I would wake up feeling guilty, to my wife, to my doctors, to myself.

I had some deep shame associated with cigarettes; I still do. But I do not want one. I have lost that desire completely.

Post-surgery my diet has changed completely.

I enjoy breakfast every day and eat at regular times throughout.

I have improved my meal selections to include more salads and lean proteins.

I have to be conscious of certain food types; this encourages a lot more consideration when it comes to meals and meal preparation.

I use social media for recipe ideas and preparation techniques.

I have tried to put some of the spare time I have into this part of my recovery, to develop some positive behaviours and habits around food.

My exercise has also increased, I use a smartwatch to prompt me every hour, to get me out of my desk chair and moving.

Five minutes of stretching and walking up some stairs is a great way to stay active and has improved my general fatigue and mood.

Chris Harrison has lost 22kg since his heart attack.

At the time of my heart attack, I was exceeding 140kgs and my total cholesterol was above 9. Since my surgery and recovery, I am currently at 118kgs. Permanent weight loss is harder than quitting smoking, but my total cholesterol is at 5.2 (within normal range).

Apart from diet, exercise and more positive lifestyle choices I have also been prescribed medication to help manage my cholesterol. I have regular blood tests for many reasons, and my cholesterol level is always checked. I also have regular contact with my GP for prescription updates, health plan review and all other general medical needs.

Today at 55 years old, I share my story in the hope of helping others protect their heart health.

Visit your GP, speak up, and take symptoms seriously. If I can keep even one person out of hospital and prevent them from going through what I did, then I’ve won.

Chris is sharing his story to coincide with Cholesterol Awareness Week, a national initiative led by Australian heart charities Hearts4heart, Heartbeat of Sport and FH Australia. The week aims to raise awareness of cholesterol and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD).

Originally published as Council worker reveals how he lost 22kg and quit smoking, alcohol after heart attack