A FORMER Post Office manager from Hyde who underwent open heart surgery is taking on a 2000-mile walking challenge to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Shaz Naz, 64, had an angina attack while dropping off some shopping for an elderly neighbour who was shielding during the pandemic. He is one of thousands of people taking part in the British Heart Foundation’s Walk For Hearts challenge to get fitter and raise vital funds for research into cardiovascular disease.
He is walking every day throughout February Heart Month and will continue the routine until December 31 when he hopes to meet his 2000 mile target. Donate here: Shaz Naz is fundraising for British Heart Foundation
Shaz began to experience chest pains in November 2020 after walking down the hill from his Post Office in Hollingworth with two heavy grocery bags for his neighbour.
They pains became steadily worse as he made his way back up the hill, so he called his GP surgery and was told to go straight to Tameside General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with angina.
He was then referred to the specialist heart unit at Wythenshawe Hospital where he was told that he would need stents fitting to open the blockage in his arteries.
During the procedure on December 23 2020, doctors informed Shaz while he was awake that the arteries were so badly blocked that he would need to undergo quadruple bypass surgery within weeks.
Following successful surgery in March 2021, Shaz attended cardiac rehabilitation sessions where he was advised to walk to help regain his fitness and make his heart stronger.
Shaz said: “It was a massive shock to learn that I needed heart surgery and it was pretty scary, but it went really well and I was so grateful for what felt like a second chance that I really embraced.
“I’ve been enjoying walking ever since and am ‘Walking For Hearts’ for the BHF right through February and beyond. My aim is to cover 2000 miles by New Years Eve. I walk every day and I love it.
“My favourite walk is one near me in Hyde up to the Wild Bank trig point. I love the views from up there and the sense of satisfaction I get. I’ve been given a second chance through my bypass and I’m making the most of it.”
The BHF Walk For Hearts campaign is being backed by BHF ambassador and Olympic sprint silver medallist, Roger Black, who underwent open heart surgery a year ago to fix a bicuspid aortic valve, which he was born with, but was not diagnosed with until later in life.
A new survey by the charity reveals walking more is the UK’s top health goal for 2026.
In a poll of 4537 adults1, over a third (36%) said one of their number one health goals for the year is to walk more – outranking other popular health aims of eating more healthily (34%), reducing stress (26%), improving sleep routines (19%) and going to the gym (16%).
Walking also topped the list of goals people believed would be easiest to achieve, with 30% agreeing it’s the health aim that’s easiest to stick with.
Taking on the challenge in Heart Month, participants can choose to walk 28, 50 or 100 miles over the four weeks of February, to help fund BHF’s lifesaving cardiovascular research and support their own heart health in the process.
Roger Black, said: “We all know New Year Resolutions can be difficult to stick with, so it’s fantastic to see that so many people want to walk more this year.
“To me, there is no better health goal than walking, as it’s something people can fit into their daily routines and do at a pace that suits them – and that’s what BHF’s ‘Walk for Hearts’ is all about. Every step is helping your own health and helping fund vital lifesaving research.”
Being physically active – including regular exercise – reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 35%, research suggests.
Ruth Goss, Senior Cardiac Nurse at BHF, said: “Walking is a great way for everyone to weave exercise into their daily routines and help look after their cardiovascular health, especially during the winter months.
“If you are one of the eight million people in the UK living with cardiovascular disease and you are able to exercise, walking could be especially helpful, as it is low impact and you can build up slowly at a pace that’s suitable for you. However, it’s important to speak with your own doctor for personalised advice.
“Taking part in BHF’s ‘Walk for Hearts’ challenge in February is a fantastic way to set yourself a goal and build up a good walking habit. You’ll also be helping fund lifesaving cardiovascular research.”
This Heart Month, British Heart Foundation is encouraging everyone to take part in their Walk for Hearts fundraising challenge – to walk 28, 50 or 100 miles during February. To find out more, visit www.bhf.org.uk/walkforhearts