A daughter has shared the heartbreaking story of how her fit and healthy father, a former Navy serviceman and firefighter, died suddenly in her arms from a silent heart condition that showed no prior symptoms.
A Lifetime of Fitness and Service
Dave Aspery, 63, from Teesside, was the picture of health. He jogged regularly, played football, maintained a strict gym routine, and ate a balanced diet while avoiding alcohol and cigarettes. With a career spanning the Royal Navy, the Fire Brigade, and as a mine rescue technician, he was also extensively trained in emergency procedures like CPR and using a defibrillator.
"He had always been active, healthy and someone everyone relied on," said his daughter, Phoebe Aspery, 35, a health and strength coach. "I grew up watching him look after himself."
The Sudden Collapse That Shocked a Family
The tragedy unfolded in September. After a cheerful phone call with his wife, Jane, 59, Dave was driving home from work with a colleague when he suddenly felt unwell. He immediately pulled the car over and asked his colleague to drive, a decision his family believes saved the colleague's life.
He managed to get to his home in Teesside, where Phoebe was visiting. He ran inside, told his wife to call an ambulance and fetch a defibrillator, before collapsing. He removed his belt and shirt in preparation for treatment as his son, Cam, rushed to a nearby station to get a defibrillator. Jane performed CPR until a friend arrived with the device.
Despite the swift response from family, a first responder, a doctor, and the Great North Air Ambulance crew, who worked on him for 40 minutes, Dave could not be saved. He passed away in his wife's arms, with his children and family dog by his side.
"I just went into freeze mode. I couldn't do anything but watch," Phoebe recalled. "It was so traumatic. Losing your dad like that is a pain that nothing can prepare you for."
The Silent Killer: Ischaemic Heart Disease
A post-mortem revealed Dave died from a heart attack caused by ischaemic heart disease—a condition where the heart's arteries are narrowed by fatty deposits, restricting blood flow. Crucially, he had displayed no symptoms.
"Ischaemic heart disease is something that can just develop in midlife, and it's not always hereditary. If you're fit and healthy, you'll never know you've got it," Phoebe warned.
She is now campaigning for more accessible health screenings and funding for research to prevent similar tragedies. "We want screenings to be made available and accessible... to make sure people don't lose their lives early like my dad did."
Dr Roy Jogiya, Chief Medical Advisor at Heart Research UK, confirmed the disease remains one of the UK's biggest killers. He emphasised that symptoms like chest pain, breathlessness, or unusual fatigue should never be ignored, as they can be subtle, especially in women and people with diabetes.
The family, facing their first new year without Dave after 42 years of marriage for his widow, are determined to keep his memory alive. Roughly 300 people attended his funeral, a testament to the quiet, humble man who was a father figure to many.
"We talk about him every day," Phoebe said, "and know that he would expect us to keep smiling."
