A GRANDFATHER who survived a severe heart attack wants to prove how the disease has "no cultural boundaries".
Edwin Philpott was rushed to North Middlesex Hospital in Edmonton when he collapsed and nearly died at the age of 62.
But he is now determined to give something back to the team which helped save his life.
He has been instrumental in creating a series of videos and images for a hospital campaign called "No Cultural Boundaries".
Through hashtag #noculturalboundaries it is possible to learn how heart disease affects men and women from different backgrounds and communities.
He said: “I had a major heart attack at the end of 2016.
“I’ve received magnificent treatment across the NHS and in particular from the cardiac rehabilitation team at North Mid.
“This is my way of saying thank you.
“Heart disease can affect anyone and it can bring devastation to an individual, family, friends and colleagues.”
Exercise and a good diet are shown to be integral to reducing the risk of disease and heart attack.
Cardiac rehabilitation unit specialist nurse, Valerie Nangle, and cardiology specialist nurse, Sarah Pelley, developed the campaign.
They discovered many patients did not know the disease could affect all communities and ethnic groups.
Valerie Nangle, said: “We all need to understand the risks of heart disease, whatever our ethnic background.
“We know, for example, that for Bangladeshis, Indians and Pakistanis, and people with an African Caribbean background, cardiovascular risk can be higher than for the rest of the UK population.
“We’re grateful to everyone for helping us put this great campaign together.
“It will help raise awareness among their communities and beyond.”
A further forty-two patients from 40 ethnic groups undergoing cardiology rehabilitation also volunteered to help.
The British Heart Foundation supported the campaign.
A 22-year-old Hackney musician called Dre donated the backing track ‘Forgiveness’.
Photographers Zayna Chauman, Natalie Constantas and Nick Lockett – a patient – also volunteered.
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