A Fife fitness trainer has shared how a rare genetic condition, coupled with a high-intensity fitness competition, led to his heart attack at the age of 38.
Jamie McDonough, a father-of-two from Kelty, was participating in a Hyrox fitness event in Lochgelly last September when his life changed in an instant. As he jogged home after completing the competition, McDonough began to feel unwell.
“I noticed that I was struggling to breathe, and it got to the point where I couldn’t walk,” McDonough recalls. “I felt a constant pain in my left shoulder, which radiated across my chest. At first, I thought I had just pulled a muscle from one of the exercises I’d done during the competition.”
After calling his wife, Lisa, to pick him up, McDonough rested at home, but he continued to feel unwell. That evening, he checked his smartwatch, which showed erratic fluctuations in his heart rate. Alarmed, he went to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy for a check-up.
Diagnosis and Heart Attack Confirmation
Five hours after his initial symptoms, McDonough arrived at the hospital, where medical staff quickly ran tests. His ECG (electrocardiogram) and blood tests revealed troubling results, with levels of troponin—proteins released when heart muscle is damaged—far higher than normal.
“The nurse’s face went pale when she saw my test results,” McDonough said. “She told me my troponin levels were at 206—well above the usual range of three to 14—and that I needed to be admitted.”
The following day, doctors confirmed McDonough had suffered a heart attack, likely caused by a ruptured piece of plaque in his arteries that had formed a clot.
A Rare Heart Condition
In addition to the heart attack, tests revealed an even rarer issue. A CT coronary angiogram showed that McDonough had a quadricuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart defect in which the aortic valve has four cusps instead of the usual three. This condition is extremely rare, affecting less than 0.05% of the population.
“The cardiologist told me it wasn’t related to my heart attack, but that it was something worth monitoring,” McDonough explained. “She had only ever seen one other case in her entire career.”
While McDonough was informed that his condition could potentially lead to further complications in the future, including changes to blood flow, he was assured that regular check-ups would help manage the condition.
A Family History of Heart Issues
Doctors also speculated that McDonough’s heart attack might have a genetic basis. While his father has never suffered a heart attack, both of McDonough’s grandparents had multiple heart attacks in their 40s.
“My granddad had five or six heart attacks and ended up with a triple bypass,” McDonough said. “My gran also had several heart attacks. So, doctors believe this could be hereditary.”
Recovery and Reflection
Following his heart attack, McDonough enrolled in an eight-week cardiac rehabilitation program, combining supervised physical training with his own fitness routine. He attended weekly sessions at Carnegie Leisure Centre in Dunfermline, which included both cardio and weight training.
Ironically, many of the exercises were similar to those McDonough teaches in his own fitness classes, including Active Options classes for individuals with long-term health conditions.
“This experience has changed the way I approach teaching,” McDonough said. “I’m now more focused on my clients’ overall health, checking in on their heart rates, recovery, and sleep, rather than just what they’re doing in class.”
Prioritizing Family
While McDonough’s health has improved, the experience has prompted him to reassess his work-life balance. Previously working seven days a week, he has now reduced his hours to spend more time with his wife, Lisa, and their two sons, Max (5) and Myles (9).
“What happened has definitely changed me,” McDonough said. “I’ve cut down on work so I can be with my family more. It’s been a wake-up call to prioritize health, family, and enjoying life.”
Moving Forward
As McDonough continues to recover, he remains committed to maintaining his fitness while carefully monitoring his heart health. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to one’s body and seeking medical advice when something feels off, no matter how fit or active a person may be.
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