Sussex teenager 'shouldn't be here today' after life threatening heart disease was found by his mum

Following a football match when he was 13, George Ashby went straight to mum Amelia's GP surgery in Lavant?, Chichester, something he said he 'never normally does', and he had an impromptu heart test with his mum's new stethoscope.

Now 16 years of age, and having just told his story through a YouTube video, George said: "My dad normally collects me as mum is busy at work on a Thursday. Mum had a new stethoscope delivered that day as her old one had gone missing.

"It is chocolate and gold so as not to disappear again. Many of her patients have probably seen it. She listened to my heart and heard a massive murmur.

"I was quickly diagnosed with life threatening heart disease. I had coarctation of the aorta and my aorta had narrowed to less than 4mm."

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'If that day had not happened I would not be alive today'

After the diagnosis, George had urgent, life saving heart surgery and a stent was inserted.

He added: "If that day had not happened I would not be alive today.

"In the lead up to my surgery, I had loads of tests, heart monitors, CT scans, MRI scans, electrocardiograms, the list goes on. I lost absolutely loads of weight.

"The moment I was told I could die, that was the moment I realised how serious the procedure was. I felt ill every single day. I can't describe to you the pain I felt. I was dying and I shouldn't be here today."

Mum Amelia, a GP at Lavant Road Surgery, said it was a 'chance in a million' that George came straight there from football.

"It is the most scary feeling in the world that your child could die," she said.

"I tried to put on a brave face when inside I was really scared. We feel very lucky every day.

"This is usually a story in memory of someone but in George's case he is very much alive."

'George knows he shouldn't be here and now he wants to help other people'