John Gibson's brush with death has prompted his plea to others to "stay on top of their heart health".
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On September 29, World Heart Day 2020, the Dubbo resident has told of his emergency transfer to Sydney because of major blockages in his heart.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) South Eastern Section, which got Mr Gibson to a Sydney hospital in time for life-saving surgery, is also advocating people "listen to their heart".
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Mr Gibson has a "new lease on life" because he did just that.
After being sent home from work because he was unwell, the Dubbo man did not ignore worrying symptoms.
"I said to my wife that I just wasn't feeling well, and I wasn't sure what was happening," he said.
"I just felt off. I had the feeling that someone was just constantly pressing in between my shoulder blades in the middle of my back."
Mr Gibson was admitted to Dubbo Hospital where his condition did not improve.
"The nurse came out and asked me if I was okay," he said. "I just looked at her and I said, "I think I'm going to..." and I blacked out."
Tests revealed that Mr Gibson had a "99 percent blockage on the left-hand side of his heart and a 95 per cent blockage on the right".
The RFDS was alerted with the Dubbo resident airlifted to Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where two stents were inserted into his heart.
"I am so grateful the Royal Flying Doctor Service was able to get me to Sydney in time and get me the help I needed," Mr Gibson said.
"I encourage everyone to stay on top of their heart health. I thankfully now have a new lease on life."
A report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics titled Causes of Death, Australia 2017, reveals coronary heart disease is still killing more Australians than any other disease.
Furthermore, people with cardiovascular disease and other heart conditions are considered to be more at risk from COVID-19.
Dubbo-based RFDS chief medical officer Dr Randall Greenberg is urging people not to avoid heart health check-ups and reminding them to eat healthy food, exercise and abstain from smoking cigarettes.
"Please get regular medical check-ups on your heart health," he said.
"If something doesn't feel right and you are worried about your heart, make an appointment to see your GP and in emergencies call triple zero.
"We are living in unprecedented times and don't know the future of the pandemic, but we do know that taking care of our hearts is more important than ever, particularly for those with heart conditions."