“Once I got over the shock, and they told me what the prognosis would be, I was jolly glad they found out.
“Although it has changed now, when I was diagnosed I had to give up sport, but I think people are fitter once they are diagnosed. There is nothing to be afraid of, I think you should be more afraid if you don’t know.
“The best thing that happened was that they found it and I have lived a completely healthy full life, I think a fuller life; my children, because they are diagnosed, they are living a full life and my grandchildren will do so as well.”
In fact, Hazel has lived a fuller life than most, having had a successful running career competing at the World Masters Championships and coming away with a gold medal. From there, Hazel became a running coach and a sports therapist.
Hazel was also the founder of the Family Heart Association, which in 2002 merged with the British Hyperlipidaemia Association to become HEART UK, the charity that is the first port of call for individuals who are diagnosed with FH, as well as educating others and supporting those who may need it.
