Country singer Taylor Cairns' heart story

September 20 2011

A singer in the band The Heartleys, winners of the 2008 New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards, Taylor lost her grandfather to heart disease when he was just 60 years old and by coincidence, on the same day she was born twenty years ago.

"It was completely unexpected, he'd just gone to have a lie down before he came to see his first grandchild at the hospital, but he died in his sleep of a heart attack," says Taylor.

"It was a really big deal that he'd made it to the age of 60 as he was the first male on his mother's side to do so. He was a fit and healthy farmer and it came as a real surprise to our family."

Taylor and band member Kayla Mahon (26) are supporting the Heart Foundation's to raise awareness of premature heart disease and the effects it has on New Zealand families and communities.

As a nurse at Gore Hospital, Kayla often sees the affects of heart disease and says she is surprised at how young people can be when they are admitted to hospital with heart problems.

"Too many people die unnecessarily of heart disease, it's New Zealand's biggest killer of men and women. Looking after your heart health is essential, not only for your own sake but for your family's sake too," says Taylor.

"My granddad was really into music and my dad, who is a music teacher, has always said that my granddad would have loved to hear me sing, I just wish that he could have been around to hear me."

Worried about yourself or someone you love? - get a Heart WOF