Northern Ireland

MLA Philip McGuigan speaks about having cardiac arrest while undergoing routine hospital tests

Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan back at work after suffering from a cardic arrest recently. Picture by Mal McCann.
Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan back at work after suffering from a cardic arrest recently. Picture by Mal McCann. Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan back at work after suffering from a cardic arrest recently. Picture by Mal McCann.

A STORMONT MLA has told how he suffered a cardiac arrest while undergoing routine hospital tests earlier this month.

Sinn Féin assembly member Philip McGuigan's heart stopped while undergoing a procedure at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Medics swung into action to restart his heart and the North Antrim MLA was forced to spend seven days in hospital.

The 47-year-old was eventually allowed to return home last Monday and has since returned to his assembly work.

The medical emergency happened just days after Danish international soccer star Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed in the country's Euro 2020 opener, which was televised across the globe.

It has placed the issue of cardiac health back in the spotlight.

Mr McGuigan, who suffers from arrhythmia, commonly known as irregular heartbeat, has been diagnosed with early onset heart disease.

Assembly member Philip McGuigan recently had a temporary pacemaker fitted and posted images of his medical emergency on social media
Assembly member Philip McGuigan recently had a temporary pacemaker fitted and posted images of his medical emergency on social media Assembly member Philip McGuigan recently had a temporary pacemaker fitted and posted images of his medical emergency on social media

The father-of-four revealed that he was under anaesthetic during a routine Electrophysiological (EP) study when his heart stopped.

"I was not in any way worried about anything, I didn't know this had happened," he said.

"After the operation they explained what happened and they put a temporary pacemaker in my neck."

"My consultant told me it never happened to him before and the staff were obviously very concerned and why it had happened."

Mr McGuigan, who has become a grandfather in the past year, said the dramatic experience had caused him to reflect.

"You think to yourself, God, I just had a grandchild, am I going to be able to watch her or other grandchildren grow up?

"Selfishly, you think, I love cycling and running and I am very fit and competitive, you think 'am I going to be able to continue with that aspect of my life?'.

He said that despite the trauma of a potentially life threatening emergency he refuses to dwell on the incident.

"Since the temporary pacemaker was removed from me physically and mentally I feel normal."

Known for his love of cycling and running, Mr McGuigan regularly exercises six times a week and can pedal 80 miles a day at the weekends.

He is also a former MacRory Cup footballer with St Patrick's College in Maghera, the Co Derry.

"A lot of people looking at my lifestyle would not have predicted I would be top of the list for a heart problem," he said.

Paying tribute to the medics for the care he received, he also urged anyone who is concerned about their health to seek medical advice.

"If people have concerns regardless of how fit, healthy or young they are they should get themselves checked out," he said.

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan pictured in hospital
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan pictured in hospital Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan pictured in hospital