From heart attack to healing: Murray’s story

After more than 2 decades working as a senior retail executive, Murray Chenery decided it was time to slow down and semi-retire.

But life had other plans. After noticing some troubling symptoms and going to see his GP, he found out he was at risk of a heart attack and would need major surgery to save his life.

I had a big job for many years, and from time to time it made me feel drained. Although I tried to put people first and lead with a humanistic approach, I became a bit hardened and found the long days could make me distant. I was working up to 70 hours a week and I was never home. My marriage broke down and I didn't spend enough time with my son. I was in a rut.

While I tried to exercise and eat well, I travelled a lot for work and there often wasn't a lot of choice. My health suffered. I was cutting brush back one day and was so tired I just had to stop. Another time I had to pull over in the car because I was really hot.

After more than 30 years, I decided to take a step back from corporate life, and I moved from Melbourne back to my hometown of Geelong. It was time to slow down.

I was out walking with my partner Lyn one day in early 2023, when I started to feel unwell. I was exhausted and drained to the point that I couldn't keep up with her. There was a tightness in my chest. I made an appointment with my GP, who referred me for a stress test which I failed spectacularly.

More tests followed, and after an angiogram my cardiologist asked me if I wanted the good news or the bad news. I asked for the good, and his response was "Well, there is no good news". He told me I had 4 major heart blockages and would need double bypass surgery. "Without it, you could walk out of here and collapse and die," he said.

After the surgery I was so exhausted I couldn't even open my eyes for 2 days. The first time I went into the rehab room, I shuffled in like an old man. In the beginning, I had 3 goals: to be able to walk to the front door, shower myself, and wash the dishes.

Within 8 weeks I was feeling a lot better physically, but the mental toll a heart episode takes is something very few people talk about. I had to let go of any 'Superman complex' I had. This all proved I was just a man. It was a sobering thought.

I changed a lot about my lifestyle. I've started walking 4 to 5km every day and doing weight training a few times a week. My diet is mostly made up of white meat, vegetables and nuts. If I want chocolate, I make sure it's dark, and once a fortnight I treat myself to a bag of hot chips from the local fish and chip shop.

Part of the healing process for me came from a creative place. I wrote a booklet on the feelings I had before, during and after my heart surgery. I then created 22 visual concepts of what these feelings looked like and translated those into big format paintings.

I held a solo exhibition of my paintings in June 2024 and auctioned the biggest painting for $3,000. I donated the proceeds to Barwon Health Foundation, which aims to improve medical services, facilities, and research in the Geelong community.

Today I'm feeling physically better than I did before my heart event, but I'll be on medication for the rest of my life and I monitor my blood pressure and cholesterol regularly.

I want to give back in some way, so I volunteer my time to Heart Support Australia and Safer Care Victoria. I visit hospital rehabilitation sessions and talk about my heart journey with other heart patients, and I contribute to the community by sitting on 2 not-for-profit boards and mentoring.

As a result of this, I was asked to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles to present my heart event journey and my paintings in February this year.

I also spend a lot more time with my family and friends, and I take more time to listen to people. I used to just rush to the next thing, but now when I bump into someone who wants to chat, I take the time.

The one message I'd pass on to anyone is when a heart event happens, time is of the essence. Don't wait. Go to the hospital. If it's a false alarm, who cares? Nip any problems in the bud. If I hadn't gone to see my GP, I could have died. And while it took me a year to feel completely better, I can honestly say that today I feel great.

Heart Support Australia provides support to Australians impacted by heart disease, offering access to peer support and hospital groups, as well as resources online for patients and loved ones. Get online to donate, fundraise or volunteer.

The Heart Foundation offers information, tools and support to help you reduce your risk and prevent or manage heart disease. They also provide information on the range of heart health checks available, guidelines on monitoring your cholesterol and blood pressure, and healthy living advice.