Martin Roberts has spoken candidly about his health struggles following a life-saving operation two years ago. The Homes Under the Hammer presenter, now 61, previously shared that in 2022 he was rushed to hospital with chest pains, where doctors discovered fluid around his heart that was impeding its function.
After undergoing emergency surgery to drain the fluid, Martin admitted that he’d been mere hours away from death. Now, he’s grappling with uncertainty about his life expectancy and confessed to feeling anxious whenever he experiences chest ‘twinges’.
Speaking with MailOnline, he said: “That was two to three hours from dying and not being here and not seeing the kids anymore and not fulfilling all my ambitions and doing all the things I want to do.
“So that’s sort of the psychological side of that.” Martin’s condition is what’s known as a pericardial effusion, taking place when fluid builds up in the sac surrounding the heart.
Over time, this increases pressure and may prevent your heart from pumping blood around the body, potentially leading to a life-threatening condition called cardiac tamponade. Despite being advised to take it easy, Martin has taken a different approach following his hospital ordeal.
He’s currently renovating a pub in Blaencwm, Wales, being a joint project with local disadvantaged youth, providing them with an opportunity to acquire construction skills. It comes as part of his mission to ‘make a difference – a legacy that Martin is aiming for.
He added: “I don’t know how much time I’ve got left, so I just want to do as much as I possibly can to help.” Patient has outlined some of the classic red flags that someone is experiencing pericardial effusion. These are listed below:
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Shortness of breath and coughing
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Anxiousness
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Dizziness
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Pressure or pain in the chest that may feel worse when lying on your back.
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Fast-beating or pounding heartbeat
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Hiccups