'Appearing in an NHS campaign saved my life'

Robert McCafferty is a keen golfer who plays the sport regularly

An actor who was hired to take part in a nationwide NHS campaign says it saved his life when he realised he was having a heart attack while playing golf.

Robert McCafferty, 59, from near Shefford, Bedfordshire, said he began to feel his chest tighten, like indigestion, on the 12th hole at Chesfield Down Golf Club on 15 February.

He said he experienced the "same subtle symptoms" he had been told to act out, so knew instinctively to get help.

"It was one of these serendipitous moments, it was the universe saying 'you're going to need this later'," he said.

Mr McCafferty appears in the NHS campaign where heart attack symptoms are simulated by hands tightening on his chest

Originally from Glasgow, Mr McCafferty said that when he filmed the advert about three years ago, a cardio surgeon advised him on his performance, to make him fully aware that "some of the symptoms are subtle".

It included being aware of chest pains, pains in other parts of the body, feeling dizzy, sweating, shortness of breath and coughing.

"Growing up and watching things that inspired me to be an actor, you think having a heart attack is a big thing, clutching your chest and using big actions, but that wasn't what they were looking for, it's about looking for things in your body that you're experiencing differently," he said.

Robert had to stay in hospital for a week but said he is now doing well and is able to walk his dogs to help keep his strength up

Mr McCafferty said that while at the golf club in Graveley, close to Hitchin, he started to feel discomfort in his chest.

"I created a fist and hit my chest to see if was trapped wind," he said.

"My chest was tightening, the symptoms were not relieved, but it was the symptoms I had acted out, so I knew I needed to stop and get assistance.

"I walked up the hill, breathing shallower and getting hot and sweaty.

"I was still banging on my chest and coughing and when I got to the 13th hole I knelt down, put my arms across my chest, I was in real pain, I was grey and clammy.

"My playing partner Phil Lyons, appeared and said 'Rob are you OK, and I said no Phil - I think I'm having a heart attack'."

Professional golfer Joanne Oliver, Mr McCafferty's partner, was quickly on hand to help

An ambulance arrived quickly, he was taken to hospital where he had one stent fitted and is waiting for another to be fitted.

"If I had not done that commercial, I would not have known the subtle signs, I may well have played on thinking it was indigestion," he said.

"That advert saved my life."

His advice is to "trust and listen to your body - if it's something different - get help."

Robert was rehearsing for the play The Hangman when he suffered his heart attack

The national clinical director for heart disease, Dr Simon Ray, said the NHS was "pleased to hear [Mr McCafferty's] awareness of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack from [its] campaign enabled him to act quickly, giving the best chance of a full recovery".

"It's vital that people are aware of the early signs of a heart attack," he said.

"If you experience symptoms such as a sensation of squeezing or tightness across the chest alongside sweating, nausea, or a sense of unease, please call 999 immediately – it could save your life."

Mr McCafferty is now recovering at home.

He was due to appear in the Swan Theatre Company's production of The Hangman from 11 to 15 March, but the play has been rescheduled to June.