He fell asleep in front of the TV. The truth turned out to be tragic

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Disturbing symptoms, such as falling asleep in front of the TV or having to stop frequently at gas stations, have been shown to be warning signs of serious heart valve disease as well as damage to a major blood vessel.

At 58, Roger Black, who had for years attributed his fatigue to the natural process of aging, discovered the real cause of his ailments during an annual echocardiogram. A heart valve defect, first diagnosed when he was just 11, required immediate surgery. "If I tried to go out for a run, my aorta would burst and I would die," explains the former sprinter, who won bronze at the Barcelona Olympics and silver in Atlanta.

The surgery, while fraught with risk, was the only solution to prevent the worst-case scenario. Black, who had to deal with pain and recovery after the procedure, did not hide his fear of the uncertain results of the surgery. "I felt very vulnerable," he admitted, indicating the mental burden he felt in the face of the surgery.

Now that he’s all cleared up, the former athlete is gradually getting back on his feet, getting involved in raising awareness of heart valve disease. The Heart Valve Voice campaign, of which Black is the face, aims to raise awareness of the symptoms and the need for regular check-ups. In the UK alone, around 40,000 people die from heart valve disease every year, often unaware that they have the condition.