29 September 2025
A former patient who had a triple heart bypass said he owes his life to a Wolverhampton specialist Heart and Lung Centre and its “amazing” teams.
Stefan Swystun had a triple bypass at New Cross Hospital’s Heart and Lung Centre in March after suffering from angina.
Following an eight-hour operation and a stay in Intensive Care, he was discharged in five days. He was told he would have probably die within six months if he hadn’t had the surgery.
The former mobile cleaner, who worked at NHS institutions Midlands-wide before being retired on health grounds due to his heart, was so impressed with his care that he has since become a volunteer in Cardiology in the Heart and Lung Centre, attending twice a week.
He said: “Before I was diagnosed, I was suffering from tight chest pain and feeling tired all the time.
“I found work very tricky and I was really struggling.
“Walking up hill, I would be crippled with pain.
“I went to the GP and was referred to the Heart and Lung Centre, where I had tests and scans.
“I was told I would need a triple heart bypass, which was very scary.”
Stefan, 65, from Tettenhall, said staff at the centre were ‘absolutely amazing’.
He said: “All the staff made me feel at ease. All of the staff were absolutely brilliant – from the Student Nurses to the Consultants.
“I was admitted into the hospital for the operation on March 2nd this year and out five days later.
“The care I received was second to none. They saved my life.
“I also had a lot of help from the physio team after the op, and they got me home as soon as I could, which I was grateful for.
“My quality of life is so much better now – I can walk without getting short of breath.
“I just want to thank all the teams for saving my life. I couldn’t have asked for better care.”