A MAN will run 13 miles today to mark 20 years since his life-saving heart surgery, side-by-side with the doctor who treated him.

Darren Cutler, 43, from Consett was rushed to hospital with sepsis in 1999.

While he was there, cardiologist Dr Michael Cave discovered that he also had a life-threatening heart condition called a pseudoaneurysm, where blood was leaking into the muscle wall.

On December 13, 1999 Mr Cutler had open-heart surgery, and the affected part of his heart was repaired with a patch from a pig heart.

Twenty years on from that lifesaving procedure, the two men will run side-by-side to celebrate Mr Cutler ’s recovery and show that recovery from heart surgery is possible.

Mr Cutler, a fitness instructor and father-of-two, said: “I was 22 when I was rushed into hospital with sepsis.

“That morning I had cycled into work, and by lunchtime I was almost unconscious.

“I was taken to A&E and I ended up staying in hospital for three months.

“While I was there, I had a couple of scans that showed I had a heart murmur; the consensus among the doctors was that I had some kind of valve problem, but Dr Cave felt it could be something more and pushed for me to have more tests. The tests revealed that blood was leaking into the muscle wall of my heart. I had open heart surgery two days later.”

Between recovering from sepsis and getting the news about his heart, Mr Cutler had passed his fitness qualification to join the police.

He was determined to recover quickly from his heart surgery and get back to full strength.

He said: “I asked my father-in-law to drop me off in different places so I’d have no option but to run home. Recovery was a painful process, but I was determined not to let my heart condition stop me.”

Mr Cutler has suffered two bouts of endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves that can be life-threatening.

He said: “Endocarditis is like a spectre hanging over your head. Because it comes on like the flu, every time I get a bad cold or a headache I wonder if I’m going to end up in hospital again. It’s a burden psychologically, always second-guessing your health.”

Although he works as a fitness trainer at Fit2The Core in Consett, Mr Cutler said running has always been a challenge for him.

He said: “I really dislike running. I have been training for this and it’s the first time I’ve run ten miles since my heart surgery. I knew that I had to pick something that would genuinely be a challenge for me.

“Hitting the 20-year milestone since my heart surgery is a big deal. In some ways it feels like it was yesterday. I’m aiming to raise at least £500 for the British Heart Foundation, because I know how important research into heart conditions is – it saved my life.”

Mr Cutler will set off from his fitness studio in Blackhill, Consett, and finish at Staithes café in Gateshead, where he will be met by his wife and son and his work colleagues.

Dr Cave will join him for the final three miles, so that they cross the finish line together.

Dr Cave, who has recently retired, said: “Darren experienced a rare and life-threatening complication of an infection affecting his heart, requiring urgent heart surgery and a prolonged hospital stay, when he was only 22 years old.

“Heart disease affects not just middle aged and old people, but also children and young people, with potentially disabling or fatal outcomes.

“Thanks to his patience and determination, Darren has remained fit and active. “Twenty years on from his surgery, it is a pleasure to be able to share this event with him. I just hope I can keep up!”

To sponsor: justgiving.com/fundraising/darren-cutler1