Paul O'Grady announces a new For the Love of Dogs season
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Making his debut back in the 1980s, O’Grady has been entertaining the public for more than 30 years. In 2004 the star became the face of his own TV chat show, which first aired on ITV before moving to Channel 4. The show consisted of a mixture of celebrity guests, comic stunts, musical performances and an occasional competition for viewers. Originally ending in 2009, the star revived the show in 2013, sticking to the traditional teatime viewing slot of five o’clock. Yet days after returning to screens with the chat show, O’Grady had to pull out as he suffered a third heart-related problem.
The star has battled more health issues than most. Not only did he suffer from an angina attack in 2013, but in 2001 and 2007 he battled heart attacks.
The potentially life-threatening conditions were brought on by the star’s extravagant partying lifestyle fuelled with booze, drugs and chain-smoking 40 cigarettes a day.
However, after his first health scare in 2001 the star knew he had to drastically change his ways: “I grew up overnight. It really did shake me and I’ve toed the line ever since.
“I’ve just sort of gone off booze. I didn’t even have a drink on my birthday last month. It’s not like the old days when I could neck 10 pints of cider — now I’d be ill as a dog. The hangovers aren’t worth it,” he explained.
In a panic to try and get his show in 2013 covered, friend and fellow entertainer Michael Ball had to step in and take his place.
In a text message to a friend at the time, O’Grady wrote: “I’ve had an angina attack and need a few days rest in hospital.
“I think I am going to be out of the game for quite a while. They are taking me in for surgery tomorrow.”
The NHS explains that angina is chest pain caused by a reduced flow of blood to the heart muscles. Although not life-threatening it is a firm warning that you could be at risk of a heart attack or stroke.
The main symptom of the condition is chest pain, which can feel tight, dull or heavy. It may also spread to your arms, neck, jaw or back.
There are two main types of angina that individuals can be diagnosed with:
- Stable angina (more common) – attacks have a trigger (such as stress or exercise) and stop within a few minutes of resting
- Unstable angina (more serious) – attacks are more unpredictable (they may not have a trigger) and can continue despite resting.
The main difference between angina and a heart attack is that angina occurs as a result of narrowed – rather than blocked – coronary arteries. Which is why, unlike a heart attack, angina does not cause permanent heart damage.
However, as the Heart Foundation explains, some people experience episodes of angina before having a heart attack and may continue to experience it afterwards. Other people never experience angina before or after a heart attack.
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As a result of O’Grady’s heart trouble and suffering from both heart attacks and angina, the star has “12 stents” in his heart to help with blood flow.
“My heart is more tin than flesh,” he joked in an interview with the Daily Mail. “Whenever I go for treatment I tell the doctors, ‘It would be far easier just to put a zip in me.’
“After two heart attacks I’m now happy to get through the day.”
When he’s not on telly, the star returns to his farmyard in Kent, where he confesses he keeps active and tries not to dwell on his health, or getting older.
He continued to say: “The worst thing you can do is to sit and fret. I take tablets and have check-ups every eight months when they put me on the treadmill. I say to them, ‘Heart attack or not, I’m hopeless on treadmills!’.”
Due to the seriousness of a heart attack it is crucial to be aware of the signs in order to potentially save a life. According to the NHS, symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest pain – the chest can feel like it’s being pressed or squeezed by a heavy object, and pain can radiate from the chest to the jaw, neck, arms and back
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling weak or lightheaded, or both
- An overwhelming feeling of anxiety.
If you notice you or someone else with angina is experiencing any of the above symptoms, the British Heart Foundation recommends these steps:
- Stop what you’re doing and sit down and rest.
- Take your GTN spray and tablets, according to your doctor or nurse’s instructions.
- The pain should ease within a few minutes – if it doesn’t, take a second dose.
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