BET ON IT

Rachel Barlow, 21, from Cambridge, placed unusual chest pains down to anxiety, without realising it was something much more serious...

Packing my overnight bag, the pain in my chest was getting even worse. I felt so out of breath.

With my English Literature dissertation due to be handed in to Durham University in just a few days, I placed the tightness in my chest down to final year anxiety.

But still, I was going to spend some time in Cornwall with my boyfriend, Keilan, 21, and felt that would help relieve my worries and ease my mind.

At least my dissertation will be handed in soon, I thought. Then I can relax a bit.

But as I headed downstairs to say goodbye to my parents and brother, Michael, 24, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was not just university anxiety at all.

'My chest feels really strange, I said to my mum, Olga, 52, as I walked into the kitchen. 'I thought it might be anxiety, but I'm not sure?

Mum tried to reassure me, while Michael was more stoic.

'Rachel,' he said. 'I bet you £1,000 you're absolutely fine.

Shaking my hand, it was a done deal.

And I hoped he was right.

As I boarded the train the pains were still there, and they stayed there throughout the day as I spent time with Keilan and our friends.

The next morning, the chest pains felt even worse.

'I want to get this checked out, I said to Keilan, adamantly.

Dialling 111, all I wanted was to get some advice.