Gosport mum who survived two heart attacks urges women 'don’t assume it’s just menopause or stress'
“I’d felt so healthy - I never imagined this could happen.”
A mum-of-two who suffered two heart attacks in six years is urging other women not to ignore the warning signs.
Rebecca Hutchinson, from Gosport, suffered her first heart attack while home alone in December 2018 - convinced that the crushing pain in her chest and back was just indigestion. She drank an entire bottle of Gaviscon, prepared dinner and had a shower before calling for help.
Minutes later, she was rushed to hospital, where tests revealed four blocked arteries and the need for urgent stents.
Rebecca said: “I was in shock. My first words were, ‘Am I going to die?’”
Six years later, in August 2024, Rebecca had a second heart attack, this time while driving home from London. Her husband, Martin, was with her in the car at the time.
She said: “I told my husband to keep calm, but I knew what was happening. The pain was in my chest, neck and arm. I said, ‘I’m having a heart attack.’ I’d felt so healthy - I never imagined this could happen again.
“The second heart attack was hard - not just for me, but for my husband. He struggled with his emotions for weeks. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, he burst into tears and said, ‘I can’t bear to look at you and see what I could lose.’”
Paramedics arrived within minutes and rushed her to hospital, where doctors discovered a narrowing in one of her stents.
“My mental recovery has been harder this time,” Rebecca added. “It’s like opening a can of worms. But I’ve built myself back up with cycling, walking and swimming - and of course my grandchildren keep me going.
“Don’t assume it’s just menopause or stress, and don’t think heart disease only happens to men. If you have chest pain, call 999. They’d rather send you home safe than be too late.
“I never imagined this could happen to me, and I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did.”
On Rebecca’s behalf, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has unveiled a red bench in her honour, which has been placed in Kenwood Road, Portchester. It is one of 65 red benches across the UK which is being placed by the charity in tribute to those living with cardiovascular disease - including heart attack survivors like Rebecca.
She said: “After my first heart attack, I used to cycle to Portchester Castle as part of my cardiac rehab and would pass this spot regularly.”
Research funded by BHF includes its flagship CureHeart programme, which it’s hoped could find new treatments and cures for inherited heart muscle diseases. BHF is also funding research using artificial intelligence, including projects that could help predict heart attacks years before they strike and improve detection of hidden heart rhythm problems.
Chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said: “Rebecca’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.
“Despite being one of the UK’s biggest killers, our new findings show cardiovascular disease is still misunderstood or not taken seriously – and that those living with it face judgement and challenges.
“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. Research will help us save and improve more lives, but the only way we can fund the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow is thanks to the public’s generous donations.”