Heart-warming tales

Heart problems are not the end of the world. But ignoring them often is. Meet some men for whom facing up to their dicky ticker was one of the best choices they ever made.

• Tim: 'Open heart surgery? Well, it's a great way to meet nurses.'

• Mervyn: 'I've walked back from heart surgery'

• Doug: 'Angina is not a Russian tennis player'

• Bernard: 'I was lucky it was Boxing Day. There was less traffic and the ambulance was able to get to the hospital more quickly'

• Martin: Living with an erratic heartbeat