Matthew Clark Dies Suddenly of Heart Attack Mistaken for Stomach Bug; Widow Jojo Clark Urges Awareness

A 46-year-old father of two, Matthew Clark, tragically passed away after suffering a heart attack that was initially mistaken for a stomach bug. Despite being described as fit and healthy, Matthew’s life was cut short by an undiagnosed heart condition.

In January 2023, Matthew, a draughtsman from Guildford, Surrey, experienced stomach pain and indigestion. At the time, his entire family had recently recovered from what appeared to be a stomach virus, so his wife, Joanna—who goes by Jojo—did not suspect anything serious.

However, the situation escalated quickly. Shortly after the onset of symptoms, Matthew collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. Jojo, his partner of 15 years, immediately began CPR and continued for 11 minutes until paramedics arrived. He was rushed to the hospital but sadly suffered a second cardiac arrest and could not be revived.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Matthew had been living with asymptomatic coronary artery disease. The condition had caused a full blockage in his coronary artery, triggering a fatal heart attack and failure in the heart’s lower left chamber.

Jojo recalled the devastating moment: “I always thought I knew the symptoms of a heart attack. You replay it in your mind hundreds of times, thinking about what went wrong. But the paramedics told me that Matthew’s chances were almost zero unless I had a defibrillator in my hand the moment he collapsed.”

In the wake of her husband’s sudden death, Jojo has shared their story in partnership with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise awareness about the often-overlooked symptoms of heart disease. Matthew had experienced nausea and abdominal discomfort—less typical signs of a heart attack, which the NHS warns can sometimes be mistaken for minor ailments.

The BHF recently reported a troubling rise in cardiovascular-related deaths among adults under 65 in the UK. Between 2019 and 2023, deaths rose from 18,693 to 21,975, an 18% increase. Experts are calling this trend the most significant decline in heart health since the 1960s.

Multiple factors may be contributing to this surge, including post-COVID health challenges, strained NHS resources, growing obesity rates, and health inequalities.

Jojo hopes that by sharing Matthew’s story, others will be more aware of the subtle warning signs and act swiftly. “If even one person recognizes the symptoms earlier than we did, it will mean Matthew’s death wasn’t in vain,” she said.

Know the Symptoms: Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest

According to the British Heart Foundation:

Heart Attack Symptoms

• Chest pain or tightness

• Pain spreading to arms, jaw, neck, back, or stomach

• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain

• Dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating

• Anxiety, similar to a panic attack

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms

• Sudden collapse

• Loss of consciousness

• No or abnormal breathing (gasping)

Both are medical emergencies. Call 999 immediately if you suspect someone is having a heart attack or cardiac arrest.