Fit, active and gone at 57: the silent heart risk that claimed the life of a Kiwi dad

Published: 10 June 2026

Grant was a fit dad who died suddenly at 57. His only symptom - high blood pressure. His daughter hopes his story will save others.

When Annabel talks about her dad, Grant, it’s impossible not to smile. 

Grant was what many would describe as a classic Kiwi bloke – hard-working, fun-loving, and deeply connected to family and friends. He spent long days working on his Kinloch property near Taupō, often up at seven in the morning and not back until well into the evening. Life revolved around boating, skiing, fishing, and time together. 

“He really enjoyed life,” Annabel says. “We did everything as a family. He brought us up loving the outdoors and being active.” 

But at just 57, Grant’s life was cut short by a sudden heart attack. 

There was only one warning sign – one that often has no symptoms and impacts 350,000 New Zealanders: high blood pressure.

Grant’s tragic heart attack

The day he died began like any other. Grant was on his property, doing jobs around the land, with the family dog riding on the back of his vehicle. 

“He was literally doing what he did every single day,” Annabel says. “Nothing was out of the ordinary.” 

Then, suddenly, Grant experienced severe chest pain. He called 111, but despite emergency services arriving quickly, he collapsed near the bottom of the driveway. A passing couple spotted him on the roadside and stopped to help. 

“As tragic as it was, that part still feels like a miracle to us,” Annabel says. “He wasn’t alone in his final moments. Someone was there with him.” 

For Annabel and her family, his death was completely unexpected – especially because Grant wasn’t your typical poster boy for heart attack or heart disease. 

What made Grant’s death even harder to comprehend was that there were no obvious red flags. He was active, busy, and seemingly healthy. While there had been some past concerns about stress and blood pressure, nothing felt urgent. 

“That’s the scary part,” Annabel says. “You can feel fine. You can look fine. And you think it won’t happen to you.” 

Annabel admits her father had a stressful job and often carried stress with him (a factor that can contribute to high blood pressure), but it never appeared to noticeably impact him. 

It’s a reality that sits at the heart of the Heart Foundation’s blood pressure awareness message. High blood pressure often has no visible symptoms, yet it significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

Looking back now, Annabel wishes her family had known more. 

“If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it,” she says. “Get it checked. There’s no harm in checking, but the consequences of not checking can be devastating.” 

Annabel is sharing her father’s story because she doesn’t want another family to lose a loved one if it can be avoided through education and awareness. 

“At first, it doesn’t feel real. But it’s after a few weeks or months that it hits – he’s not coming home. 

“You never think something like this will happen to your own family until it does.” 

Since losing her father, Annabel is taking on the Taupō Marathon as a way to raise awareness and funds for heart research in his memory – both to honour him and to keep the conversation going. 

“He was one of those people who could talk to anyone,” she says. “No matter how old you were, where you came from, or who you were, Dad never judged. He made everyone feel welcome. 

“I don’t want his story to be forgotten. If sharing this makes even one person take their heart health seriously, it will have been worth it.” 

Her message is simple, but urgent. 

“Don’t assume it won’t happen to you or your family,” Annabel says. “Behind every statistic is a real person – a dad, a daughter, a family whose lives are changed forever.” 

For Annabel, continuing to speak out is about love, remembrance, and prevention. 

“I just want to make my dad proud,” she says. “And if his story can help save another family from going through this, then that’s the best way I can honour him.” 

You can donate to Annabel’s Heart Foundation fundraiser here.