Leicester GP's Heart Attack Experience Inspires Red Bench Memorial
A striking red bench has been unveiled in the heart of Leicester to honour the remarkable journey of local GP Dr Carol Ighofose (nee Douglas), who has dedicated over two decades to serving the city's community. The memorial serves as both a tribute to her survival and a powerful symbol in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
A Life-Changing Medical Emergency
Dr Carol Ighofose was just 48 years old when her life took an unexpected turn in January 2018. Driving home from work, what she initially dismissed as uncomfortable indigestion symptoms rapidly escalated into crushing chest pain that left her disorientated and struggling to breathe. "I was lying there thinking 'my heart is being significantly damaged'. I couldn't believe this was happening," Carol recalls of the terrifying experience.
Fortunately, Carol was on the phone with her friend and colleague, Dr Tracey Bempah, who immediately called an ambulance while Carol managed to pull her car over to the roadside. Despite clearly communicating her belief that she was experiencing a heart attack to both ambulance crews and hospital staff, several critical hours passed before she received appropriate treatment.
The Long Road to Recovery
Transferred to another Leicester hospital in the early hours of the following morning, Carol received confirmation that she had indeed suffered a heart attack. Although a stent was successfully fitted, subsequent ultrasound scans revealed severe damage to her heart muscle. This led to a diagnosis of heart failure, meaning Carol will require lifelong medication to manage her condition.
The mother-of-two, who was originally inspired to enter medicine after nursing her own mother through illness during childhood, describes how the experience fundamentally altered her perspective. "Initially in the weeks and months after the heart attack I really struggled with fatigue and breathlessness," she explains. "I still get very tired, but I walk a lot, eat well and despite pushing myself I'm aware of my limitations."
Finding Purpose Through Adversity
Carol's recovery has been supported by her strong faith as assistant pastor at her local church, and she believes her personal experience has made her a more compassionate medical practitioner. "I've been there personally and I know people lead really complex lives these days," she reflects. "We're all just trying to do the best we can."
The bench has been thoughtfully positioned on Walnut Street in central Leicester, near the Royal Infirmary hospital where she was treated. "My bench will be in the vicinity of where everything happened to me, where I pulled over, where the ambulance stopped, so it's quite poignant," Carol observes. "It's a busy location that will hopefully get people sitting on the bench and encourage conversation."
National Campaign Against Cardiovascular Disease
Carol's story forms part of a significant national campaign by the British Heart Foundation, marking the charity's 65th anniversary with the installation of 65 red benches across the United Kingdom. Each bench represents an individual living with cardiovascular disease, with their personal stories highlighting the human impact of these conditions.
The installation in Leicester was made possible through collaboration between the British Heart Foundation, creative agencies Saatchi & Saatchi and Raw Research, with the bench itself generously donated and installed by Leicester City Council.
Confronting Misconceptions and Stigma
New research commissioned by the British Heart Foundation reveals concerning attitudes towards cardiovascular disease among the British public. A survey of 2,000 UK adults living with these conditions found:
- Over half (55%) reported feeling judged or embarrassed about their condition
- One in three (36%) encountered assumptions that their condition was self-inflicted
- Approximately half (48%) experienced challenges in personal relationships due to their condition
- Two in three (65%) reported mental health challenges related to their diagnosis
- Half (50%) believe cardiovascular disease is not taken as seriously as other medical conditions
Carol has personally encountered these misconceptions, recalling being told she was "lucky" when needing afternoon naps during her recovery. "There was a point when I felt like people couldn't separate me from having a heart attack and I was less inclined to talk about it," she admits. "I agree that heart disease isn't as well understood or taken as seriously as other conditions."
The Ongoing Battle Against Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the UK's most significant health challenges, affecting more than eight million people nationwide and approximately 30,000 individuals in Leicester alone. Every three minutes, someone in the UK dies from cardiovascular disease, while every five minutes sees another person admitted to hospital following a heart attack.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive at the British Heart Foundation, emphasises the importance of Carol's story: "Carol's story shows the true reality of living with cardiovascular disease, and we are so grateful that they are courageously sharing their experiences to help others. By sharing the stories of people who live with cardiovascular disease on our iconic red benches across the UK, we hope to start more conversations that change dangerous misconceptions."
The charity highlights remarkable progress since its founding in 1961, when more than 70% of heart attack victims did not survive. Decades of research funded by the British Heart Foundation have transformed detection, treatment and prevention strategies, though the organisation stresses that continued public donations remain essential to fund future scientific breakthroughs.
