Evans has revealed he underwent a quadruple heart bypass after receiving a serious diagnosis a few days before Christmas.
“That (the test results) was at 4 pm in the afternoon. At 9 am the following morning, I had a quadruple bypass,” Evans told The Herald Sun.
Evans met highly respected cardiologist Assoc/Prof Kushwin Rajamani at the In A Heartbeat book launch. Assoc/Prof Rajamani encouraged Evans to have a heart health check and followed up with him after the event. Evans read ‘In A Heartbeat’ written by heart attack survivor and heart health advocate Rachel Jayne Cassidy. Cassidy almost lost her life, although she was not in the stereotypical age bracket for a heart event; she was fit and exercised daily, she didn’t smoke or drink alcohol and had no known family history of heart issues.
Evans was inspired by the courage shown by everyday Australians and other high-profile individuals who feature in In A Heartbeat, sharing the intimate details of their heart events and how they came out the other side to live happy and fulfilling lives.
Evans said, “I first read the book and learnt so much about people and heart attack victims, it’s very incisive, very informative.” The guidance provided in the book by leading cardiologists from across Australia is exceptional, and the resource section at the back of the book provides contact details.
“The inspiration of the book has led me to more than just a GP, a cardiologist, because I do fall into that category of history (family has a history of heart disease), and then prevention can be better than cure,” said Evans.
Through the guidance of Assoc/Prof Rajamani and reading In A Heartbeat, Evans was motivated to book himself an appointment for a heart health check that saved his life as he subsequently had lifesaving open-heart surgery.
Recently, Evans revealed publicly, “It was bad news. It was too bad for them to put a stent in or anything like that, and I was told, ‘You need open heart bypass surgery’.”
He was recovering in the cardiac unit at Epworth Eastern Hospital until recently and is now recuperating at home.
Assoc/Prof Rajamani said, “This book (In A Heartbeat) will save lives and government money.” You can read Assoc/Prof Rajamani’s own extraordinary story alongside Greg Evan’s contribution in the book.
In A heartbeat book can be purchased in all good book stores, or you can order it from your local library.
Evans has enjoyed a highly successful career, produced by the Reg Grundy organisation. Perfect Match first aired on Network Ten in 1984. It famously achieved a “39 rating,” a number unheard of for that timeslot today. Over the years, Perfect Match was reborn and renamed several times, with Evans at the forefront.
Evans later moved on to radio, hosting Melbourne’s number one breakfast talkback radio show on 3AW and then Talk Radio Station 3AK, before joining Radio 3MP between 2005 and 2006. In 2001, Evans appeared in the comedy series Pizza in the relevant role of the Dating Show Host. It was in 2007 that the television icon had his sea change – turning his interests to becoming a much – loved marriage celebrant.
