Heart operation dad in health insurance alert (From York Press)

Heart operation dad in health insurance alert

8:51am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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A SELBY area father who suffered a heart attack at the age of 39 has undergone a successful triple heart bypass operation.

As previously reported in The Press, Roger Whitehead, who lives in Barlby, did not drink or smoke and tried to live a healthy lifestyle.

But after working out at the gym, he suffered the attack.

He is now back home recovering after surgeons used arteries from elsewhere in his body to bypass his blocked arteries.

Roger, who works as a painter and decorator, said: “The operation went well.

“Obviously it’s a bit sore and painful, but I’m looking at going back to work at the end of May.”

Roger said he would have to wait for his rib cage to heal after it was cut open and he will have to take work easier in the future.

This is a problem, though, as Roger is self-employed and he is urging people to check their health insurance as he discovered he was not covered for critical illness.

Because of this there has been no money coming in since his heart attack and he was being forced to put his home on the market and buy a smaller property.

Roger said: “I’m having to sell my house.

“I had death and critical illness cover but not critical illness insurance.

“I just thought that it was one of those things you got automatically these days.”

Roger is now urging others who may find themselves in his position to check that their insurance covers them for all eventualities, particularly if they are self-employed.

He said: “It’s just a case of making sure your paperwork is in order, especially if you’re self-employed, as there are no benefits out there for the self-employed.

“The Government is not interested.

“If you’re self-employed, it’s all on your own shoulders.”