Healthy woman told she had ’24 hours to live’ after feeling ‘a ripping in her chest’ at the gym

A FIT and healthy woman had a close call with death after feeling a ripping in her chest, followed by a “bubbling” at the gym.

Marie-Anne August first became ill during an session.

The 45-year-old fitness addict was rushed to Torbay Hospital in , where she was seen by a consultant and had blood tests and an ECG.

The results came back, and Marie-Anne was sent home with a clean bill of – despite markers allegedly indicating possible aortic dissection.

Two days later, her family grew increasingly concerned – saying she “didn’t look right”; and pushed her to go back to the hospital.

“I couldn't breathe and the pain was absolutely excruciating,”; the NHS communications worker from Newton Abbot, Devon, said.

“The diagnosis took me by surprise because I thought I was so fit.

“When the aortic dissection happened, I felt a , followed by a bubbling feeling.

“I have always been very active and played lots of sports and have been going to the gym nearly my whole life.

“I believe that being fit and healthy is the reason I survived two days when I was initially turned away from A&E.

“I wasn’t upset at being discharged the first time as I didn’t know what was happening, although I did feel very ill.

“An aortic dissection is very difficult for the doctors to spot unless you have a CT scan.

“I also understand how rare it is and how infrequently medical teams must see dissections.

“But I do feel disappointed it wasn’t picked up now I know how serious it was.

“It’s not their fault but more awareness and education within A&E is essential because many people aren’t as lucky as me.”

Aortic dissection is most common in people aged over 65, with 35 cases per 100,000 people per year in that age group.

It is when the wall of the aorta tears, causing blood to leak between the layers that make up the walls of the arteries.

Marie-Anne was rushed into open heart surgery at Derriford Hospital in .

I didn’t realise how serious it was until I got to the hospital, then was told I had less than 24 hours to live

Marie-Anne August

She said: “I was absolutely terrified.

“I didn’t realise how serious it was until I got to the hospital, then was told I had less than 24 hours to live and that they had to operate immediately.

“They also listed all the complications that could occur – , loss of limbs, paralysis and lots of other things.

“I was just so frightened.”

A year on from a close call with death

Thankfully, the was a success.

Marie-Anne added: “Five days after the operation I was back at home.

“I think I recovered quicker than some.

“I didn’t really have any guidance as to what I could and couldn’t do.

“But I was in so much pain post-operation for the first month that I couldn’t do much [beyond] going for slow walks with my dad.”;

It’s now been nearly a year since Marie-Anne’s close call with death on 24 April 2024.

With the help of family and friends, she's recovered enough to return to work.

But while she’s out of immediate danger, the fitness addict – who loves , playing and – can’t do certain sports.

She can no longer run fast, ski, water ski, or do high-intensity exercise, amongst other things.

She added: “I’m doing OK now.

“I have residual damage to my aorta so I need to watch what I do and monitor my .

“I am trying to find my feet but overall I’m doing much better than expected.

It’s such a change – from being someone who is quite fit and active – to all the things I can't do

Marie-Anne August

“But it’s such a change – from being someone who is quite fit and active – to all the things I can't do.

“And that makes me very sad.

“Not being able to do what I did before is the biggest adjustment for me and with no real guidance as to what to do safely it causes a lot of fear.

“But I’m pretty determined to figure out what I can do safely.

“My gym's been really great helping me with cardiac rehab.

“And I'm determined to get back to full health if possible with my limitations.”;

A spokesperson on behalf of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust said: “Anyone who has concerns over the care they are receiving is encouraged to discuss this with the ward teams and ward matrons during their time at the hospital; patients can also speak with our Patient Advice and Liaison Service for any unresolved concerns.

“Due to patient confidentiality, we are unable to discuss individual matters.”;