Preparing for the Unexpected
How a heart attack in Singapore taught me the value of having my affairs in order.
I never expected to have a heart attack. My cholesterol levels were consistently around three, my blood pressure was good, and I maintained a healthy weight. I considered myself quite fit – running regularly, visiting the gym twice weekly, and practising yoga and Pilates.
Yet there I was in Singapore, experiencing what would become a life-changing event.
My wife Jo and I had been travelling, meeting our son in Milan before flying to Singapore, where our other son lives with his wife and grandchild. The morning after our arrival, I went for a run around 7:30 am, not planning a long session as Singapore’s heat builds quickly.
Initially feeling good, I became aware of a slight tightness in my chest – similar to when you exercise intensely. I slowed down but continued, attributing the discomfort to disrupted sleep from travel.
Later, while walking to take our grandchild to preschool, the tightness persisted. After returning, I mentioned to Jo that something still felt wrong. I checked my pulse and thought it seemed irregular.
Jo, more concerned than she let on, called our son, who suggested going straight to the hospital. Within 20 minutes of arriving at A&E, I went into cardiac arrest.
The medical team later explained that a piece of random plaque had peeled off, forming a clot in the artery leading back to my heart. Had I not been in the hospital when it happened, the outcome could have been very different.
As I lay there partially conscious during the event, I found myself thinking, “I’ve had a good life. Jo and the kids will be all right.” I considered whether I had any regrets, recalling the concept of regret minimisation as a powerful motivator for some clients I’ve worked with.
Only one regret came to mind – being an angry dad too often when my children were young.
The doctors placed a stent and warned my family I might have heart and brain damage. Fortunately, when I woke up, I felt completely fine despite the tubes and sensors attached to me.
This experience, which occurred on 16 October, gave me what my brother-in-law called “another crack at it.” I was fortunate, but I also realised my preparation had provided peace of mind during a critical moment.
Over the years, I’d worked to keep my affairs neat and tidy – accounts organised, investments sorted, and asset ownership clearly documented. My adult children were established in their lives, and I had confidence in my work colleagues’ ability to look after my clients if I wasn’t around.
This event reinforced several key messages about financial preparedness that I share with clients:
– First, financial fitness shares similarities with physical fitness. Both require consistent habits rather than sudden, dramatic changes. It’s about doing many things consistently day by day, week by week, month by month.
– Second, while you can’t plan life on a spreadsheet, having a sense of direction allows you to adapt when opportunities arise or circumstances change. You don’t need to get it 100% right every day, but aiming for 80% provides the flexibility to respond to life’s unexpected turns.
– Third, establishing core drivers and values helps create meaningful financial goals. Whether it’s a bucket list or specific milestones, understanding what’s important to you provides direction. With proper analysis, you can determine what’s possible and how to achieve it.
– Finally, regular “decluttering” of your financial life is essential. Periodically reviewing structures, updating wills, and ensuring ownership documentation is current brings clarity and peace of mind. This frees you to move forward with confidence.
My near-death experience wasn’t a “road to Damascus” moment that fundamentally changed my outlook. Rather, it reinforced the value of preparation and reminded me there’s much to look forward to in life.
The experience highlighted that wealth isn’t solely about money – it’s about relationships, friendships, and having choices and options. Money is simply an enabler for these more meaningful aspects of life.
While I’m grateful for the medical care that saved me, I’m equally thankful for the financial preparation that allowed me to face a critical moment without worry about what I’d leave behind.
As I approach what I jokingly call my “second birthday” – the anniversary of my heart attack – I’m not slowing down. Instead, I’m more conscious of cherishing moments and embracing opportunities as they arise.
The wake-up call taught me that being prepared financially isn’t just about planning for retirement – it’s about being ready for whatever life brings, expected or not.
Listen below to Andrew’s story on ‘The Purposeful Investor’s Podcast:
