Olympic gold medallist reveals unexpected health journey: 'It was definitely the scariest moment of my life'
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When we think of Olympic athletes, we often picture the pinnacle of health and fitness.
These athletes take pride in their bodies as temples of peak physical condition.
However, a legendary Aussie athlete's startling experience served as a stark reminder that even the fittest among us are not immune to the silent threats lurking within.
Australian swimming legend Duncan Armstrong was a former world record holder and an icon in the swimming world.
However, at 52 years old, Armstrong suffered a heart attack that nearly cost him his life.
It was a regular Tuesday afternoon in November 2020 when the unexpected struck.
Armstrong was fresh from the gym and on the way to pick his children up from school.
However, he felt something that he initially regarded as stomach pain.
This discomfort soon radiated to his arm until he had a dire realisation.
'I was flicking my arm while sitting in the waiting bay of the school pick-up, and I then realised I was having a heart attack,' Armstrong recounted in an interview.
Armstrong drove himself to the hospital and informed his wife about his situation.
'I turned around again, got into the hospital foyer, and the last thing I remember is telling the receptionist I had chest pain before immediately collapsing and needing to be revived,' Armstrong further shared.
'It was definitely the scariest moment of my life.'
The harrowing ordeal led to a triple bypass open heart surgery the following day.
However, what made Duncan Armstrong's story particularly compelling was not just its dramatic nature but the revelation that followed five years later.
According to Armstrong, a simple, non-invasive test could have alerted him to the danger he was in.
Since then, Armstrong has been an advocate for the CT Calcium scan, a test that measures the amount of calcium in the walls of the heart's arteries.
This test's results could indicate potential heart disease.
Despite being a fitness enthusiast, Armstrong had no idea he was at risk.
'I didn't even know I was ill,' he admitted.
'I never even thought to check my calcium score with a simple CT Calcium scan.'
The CT Calcium scan is a procedure that could have provided Armstrong and his general practitioner with the warning signs needed to prevent a heart attack.
It's a test that takes about 20 minutes, costs around $50, and requires no special preparation.
A healthy calcium score ranges from zero to 400.
The higher the score, the more likely it is for a person to have a heart attack or coronary artery disease (CAD)
'It's the only time in your life you want to be a zero,' Armstrong quipped. 'This scan could save your life.'
Armstrong's legacy in the pool is undeniable.
His stunning victory in the 200 m freestyle at the 1988 Seoul Olympics remains one of the most inspiring moments in Australian sport history.
He also claimed silver in the 400 m freestyle that year and continued to swim competitively until the 1992 Barcelona Games.
His achievements have been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal and inductions into multiple halls of fame.
Yet today, Armstrong's message is about more than past glories—it's a call to action for all Australians to take charge of their heart health.
Seniors often focus on maintaining their health through diet, exercise, and regular check-ups.
However, Armstrong's experience highlighted the importance of being proactive and informed about specific tests that could detect hidden health issues.
The CT Calcium scan is a potentially life-saving procedure, and it could be the difference between prevention and emergency.
What do you think of Duncan Armstrong's story? Have you or someone you know ever experienced a health scare that could have been prevented with the proper tests? Share your stories with us in the comments below. Let's raise awareness together and help each other stay healthy and safe.
These athletes take pride in their bodies as temples of peak physical condition.
However, a legendary Aussie athlete's startling experience served as a stark reminder that even the fittest among us are not immune to the silent threats lurking within.
Australian swimming legend Duncan Armstrong was a former world record holder and an icon in the swimming world.
However, at 52 years old, Armstrong suffered a heart attack that nearly cost him his life.
It was a regular Tuesday afternoon in November 2020 when the unexpected struck.
Armstrong was fresh from the gym and on the way to pick his children up from school.
However, he felt something that he initially regarded as stomach pain.
After his Olympics stint, Armstrong joined Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports and has coached younger athletes. Image Credit: MIGAS Apprentices and Trainees
This discomfort soon radiated to his arm until he had a dire realisation.
'I was flicking my arm while sitting in the waiting bay of the school pick-up, and I then realised I was having a heart attack,' Armstrong recounted in an interview.
Armstrong drove himself to the hospital and informed his wife about his situation.
'I turned around again, got into the hospital foyer, and the last thing I remember is telling the receptionist I had chest pain before immediately collapsing and needing to be revived,' Armstrong further shared.
'It was definitely the scariest moment of my life.'
The harrowing ordeal led to a triple bypass open heart surgery the following day.
However, what made Duncan Armstrong's story particularly compelling was not just its dramatic nature but the revelation that followed five years later.
According to Armstrong, a simple, non-invasive test could have alerted him to the danger he was in.
Since then, Armstrong has been an advocate for the CT Calcium scan, a test that measures the amount of calcium in the walls of the heart's arteries.
This test's results could indicate potential heart disease.
Despite being a fitness enthusiast, Armstrong had no idea he was at risk.
'I didn't even know I was ill,' he admitted.
'I never even thought to check my calcium score with a simple CT Calcium scan.'
The CT Calcium scan is a procedure that could have provided Armstrong and his general practitioner with the warning signs needed to prevent a heart attack.
It's a test that takes about 20 minutes, costs around $50, and requires no special preparation.
A healthy calcium score ranges from zero to 400.
The higher the score, the more likely it is for a person to have a heart attack or coronary artery disease (CAD)
'It's the only time in your life you want to be a zero,' Armstrong quipped. 'This scan could save your life.'
Armstrong's legacy in the pool is undeniable.
His stunning victory in the 200 m freestyle at the 1988 Seoul Olympics remains one of the most inspiring moments in Australian sport history.
He also claimed silver in the 400 m freestyle that year and continued to swim competitively until the 1992 Barcelona Games.
His achievements have been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal and inductions into multiple halls of fame.
Yet today, Armstrong's message is about more than past glories—it's a call to action for all Australians to take charge of their heart health.
Seniors often focus on maintaining their health through diet, exercise, and regular check-ups.
However, Armstrong's experience highlighted the importance of being proactive and informed about specific tests that could detect hidden health issues.
The CT Calcium scan is a potentially life-saving procedure, and it could be the difference between prevention and emergency.
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I thinking the same thing
