Marvellous’ GP helps Bathurst woman through rare heart condition journey

Marvellous’ GP helps Bathurst woman through rare heart condition journey

08 May 2026

Gwen Brett, a retired nurse from regional New South Wales, has shared how her GP helped her stay hopeful through repeated heart emergencies, hospital visits, and unclear diagnoses.

Her symptoms began in 2023 with chest tightness and shortness of breath. From there, she went through multiple tests including ECGs, stress tests, angiograms, and hospital admissions after ongoing chest pain and heart issues.

At one stage, she had an 80% artery blockage treated with a stent, but later scans showed different results, leaving doctors unsure of the exact cause of her symptoms. Over time, her condition was linked to rare heart problems involving coronary artery spasms and other complications.

During this difficult period, Ms Brett said her GP, Dr Marcus Hayward, provided steady support when she felt dismissed or confused by different medical opinions.

She said his encouragement and belief in her experience helped her keep going through repeated health crises and emergency hospital visits.

Ms Brett also experienced several serious cardiac events, including a heart attack while at a pharmacy, and later a cardiac arrest, where paramedics were able to act quickly and save her life.

Further specialist testing eventually confirmed rare conditions known as MINOCA and INOCA, linked to reduced blood flow to the heart without major artery blockage. She was also fitted with a defibrillator to manage future risk.

Dr Hayward said the case was a learning experience and highlighted that these conditions are often under-recognised. He said ongoing GP support, listening, and persistence were key in helping patients who are still unwell despite unclear test results.

He also helped connect Ms Brett with specialists and supported emergency care planning for future incidents.

Ms Brett is now slowly rebuilding her strength through rehabilitation, exercise programs, and daily activities, while also working to raise awareness of her condition and support further research.

She says the support from her GP has been a major part of her recovery and ongoing hope.

https://www1.racgp.org.au/

Source: newsGP

 
 

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