‘My wife was in a coma for 11 days after a cardiac arrest while asleep in bed’

Robert, 78, is preparing to run his third half marathon in a matter of months after heart conditions changed his family’s lives

Robert Mearns is preparing to run his third half marathon in a matter of months after heart conditions changed his family’s lives.

The 78-year-old from Dunmurry will take on the Belfast Half Marathon this September, following runs at Hillsborough and Lisburn.

It’s all been inspired by his wife Iris, who has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and by Robert’s own diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. He will also raise funds and awareness for the British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland.

HCM is a mostly genetic condition where the heart’s muscular wall thickens, which can make it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body. Atrial fibrillation is a common abnormal heart rhythm that causes the heart to beat irregularly and often too fast.

Robert, who was brought up in Belfast and studied at Queen’s University, spent many years working in the private sector before devoting his life to missionary and community work across Europe, Africa, India, Mexico and America.

He has travelled to 25 nations through his work and spent 30 years living in the United States with his wife and three children, Simon, Grace and Alan, before Robert and Iris returned to Northern Ireland five years ago.

Ten years ago, Robert, who was living in North Carolina, woke in the middle of the night at home to find Iris had suffered a cardiac arrest.

He said: “My wife and I were asleep in bed and I heard a thump on the wooden floor. My wife had a cardiac arrest and she stopped breathing. If I hadn’t woken, she wouldn’t have survived.

“I remember it vividly as the most traumatic thing that has ever happened to me. I’ve been in some very difficult situations in Africa with my missionary work, but nothing could prepare you for waking up to that.”

Their daughter Grace quickly called the emergency services and started CPR until paramedics arrived. Iris was taken to hospital, where she was placed in an induced coma for 11 days.

Robert said: “Against all odds, Iris woke up and thankfully her brain function was normal. The nurses looking after her just wept with the family. We were all in such shock and so thankful. It really was a miracle.”

Iris, who had not experienced symptoms before her cardiac arrest, was diagnosed with HCM and later had a pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted.

Since then, Robert and Iris’s children have been tested, with their eldest son Simon also diagnosed with HCM. Simon also now has a defibrillator and pacemaker fitted, and the family’s grandchildren are being tested for the genetic condition.

Robert is now a carer for Iris, who along with HCM, has rheumatoid arthritis, and says running gives him focus, purpose and a way to give back.

He said: “Iris travelled all over the world with me, but now my world has to be compressed as a carer and Iris is my priority. I see her care as entrusted to me and she will always be loved and cared for by her family. I was diagnosed in 2022 with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat. I’m aware of it and make sure I train well for any event I do.

“With cardiovascular conditions affecting my entire family, I have a vested interest in heart research and the work of BHF. I want to share my story to raise awareness of the impact of cardiovascular disease and support funding of research into treatments and cures.”

Robert added: “We don’t form good character by everything going our way in life; we form it by facing the challenges. Running for Iris and for everyone living with cardiovascular disease will take my feet to the finish line.”

The Belfast Half Marathon takes place on September 20 and is Northern Ireland’s biggest half marathon event. Those interested in running for BHF Northern Ireland can sign up before 17 August by contacting April Davidson on davidsona@bhf.org.uk.

To donate to Robert’s fundraising page, visit: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/RM94666591.

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