Barry Hearn Survives Heart Attack During Leyton Orient Play-Off Match

Legendary sports promoter Barry Hearn experienced a heart attack last month during Leyton Orient’s play-off semi-final against Stockport County, his son Eddie has revealed. Barry, who previously owned the club from 1995 to 2014 and has been involved in various sports including snooker, boxing, and darts, felt unwell during the first leg of the match and was hospitalized.

The 77-year-old, with a history of two previous heart attacks, underwent a procedure to have a third stent inserted. A stent is a small mesh tube that keeps arteries open after a heart attack. Despite the serious incident, Barry made a rapid recovery and was at Johnny Fisher’s boxing match with Dave Allen just a week later.

According to Eddie, the situation was quite frightening. He explained, “He felt discomfort in the first half of the match. He told himself, ‘I’ll just see out the game,’ but ultimately had to go to the doctor and was taken to hospital for a heart attack.” Barry had a stent placed in his artery on a Monday, was discharged the next day, and returned home.

Despite the warning signs, Barry was eager not to miss upcoming bouts and insisted on attending Fisher’s fight with Dave Allen, feeling confident that he’s “brand new” after the procedure. Eddie expressed concern but also admiration for his father’s resilience, saying, “He lives life to the fullest, always pushing forward.”

Barry’s remarkable recovery underscores his determination to enjoy life to its fullest extent. His history with heart issues and his recent recovery highlight both the risks and his resilient spirit, showing he’s back to living actively and passionately.