Rare heart problem led to death of father, 48

A father-of-two collapsed and died of a rare heart condition at his home, aged 48, just weeks before he was due to see a specialist, an inquest heard.

Stuart Bruce's condition went undiagnosed by doctors at Great Wyrley Health Centre before his death from a heart attack in October.

South Staffordshire Coroner Andrew Haigh said the tragedy could not have been predicted.

Mr Bruce's family are seeking legal advice in the matter. The finance operative, of Woodstock Drive, Huntington, Cannock had regularly visited Dr Arun-bhai Patel and his partner

Dr Deepal Patel at their Wardles Lane surgery since March last year.

Mr Bruce, who worked for Homeserve, had symptoms ranging from dizziness, stomach discomfort, tiredness, dermatitis and anxiety.

He was initially diagnosed with vertigo and gastritis. He was also treated for a post-viral illness and laby-rinthitis, a condition of the inner ear which can cause dizziness.

His blood pressure, weight and cholesterol were regularly checked and his blood sent away for analysis, Dr Arunbhai Patel told the Cannock hearing.

Eventually, on September 21, he was referred to a gastroenteritis specialist. Dr Patel said it was a routine appointment rather than an urgent referral. The inquest heard that his father and paternal grandmother had both died of heart problems.

Pathologist Dr Terence Hollingsworth, who performed the post mortem, said that Mr Bruce's problem was "due to abnormal artery supply to the heart," adding it was a "genetically-determined" condition which attacked small and medium arteries throughout the body and was "vanishingly rare."

Recording a verdict of natural causes, the coroner ruled out neglect.