A Nantwich barber told today how he was “lucky to be alive” after suffering multiple heart attacks and undergoing emergency triple heart bypass.
Surgeons discovered that Darren Dale’s arteries were 90% blocked when he had his operation earlier this year.
Now the 50-year-old, who had smoked for most of his life, has spoken about his ordeal as the British Heart Foundation calls on the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill to pass through Parliament.
They say more than 10,000 lives have been lost through smoking-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) since the Bill was introduced to Parliament last year.
Darren, who runs Barberus on Pillory Street, had smoked up to 20 cigarettes a day for 30 years before quitting in 2021 after experiencing breathlessness and recurring chest pains.
Despite leading an active lifestyle and eating healthily, he was diagnosed with severe heart disease, which he was told had been significantly worsened by smoking.
In April 2025, surgeons at Manchester’s North West Heart Centre performed a triple heart bypass after warning he had narrowly avoided a fatal heart attack.
Darren was told he had already had multiple undiagnosed heart attacks in the past, only revealed through a 24-hour ECG at Leighton Hospital in Crewe.
He credits his recovery to the lifesaving care he received and now hopes his experience will encourage others to give up smoking, take their heart health seriously and seek help early if they have any worrying symptoms.
“I feel incredibly lucky to be here,” said Darren.
“Smoking had a huge impact on my heart which nearly killed me, and I want others to know the risks before it’s too late.”
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the UK, and BHF warns that without decisive action, tobacco-related ill health will continue to devastate families and communities.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to create a smoke-free generation and curb the rise in youth vaping.
The BHF has worked on the new Bill closely with partners including Action on Smoking and Health and the Smokefree Action Coalition.
The Bill gives Government powers to phase out tobacco sales for anyone born on or after January 1st 2009 and to restrict vape flavour descriptions and packaging that appeal to children.
The Bill aims to expand smokefree places to outside schools, playgrounds and hospitals.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: “It is shocking that smoking still takes so many lives across the UK, and tough measures must be taken to ensure future generations don’t die early because of tobacco.
“We urge politicians of all parties to back this Bill and get it enshrined in law quickly so it can help stop more preventable tragedies.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to prevent more families from going through that heartbreak which is why we need to see the Bill passed as a matter of urgency.”
Smoking makes artery walls sticky, which causes fatty deposits to build up and narrow arteries which raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
It also increases blood pressure, heart rate and the likelihood of blood clots, while reducing the amount of oxygen the heart and body receive.
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