A drug user died after contracting a heart infection, an inquest was told.
Colin Dyson, 45, of Seth Terrace, Barnsley, most likely caught an infection as a result of his drug use, according to a hospital consultant.
The dad-of-one was admitted to Barnsley Hospital suffering from leg and chest pains on September 18 last year. He died of heart failure six days later. Giving evidence Dr Mathai Varghese, who carried out the post-mortem, said the changes to his heart were ‘incompatible with life.’
“Such a severe infection can lead to heart failure. His acute heart failure was due to that,” she said. She said intravenous drug users had a high risk of contracting an infection from using needles.He also had a low immunity to infections caused by Hepatitis C, she said.
The inquest was told Mr Dyson had been seen by specialist nurse Sarah Foster for his opiate addiction and was being prescribed morphine.
He was enrolled at the Worsbrough lift centre and had been keeping his appointments to control his drug use. Coroner Louise Slater said he seemed to be fully engaged with his treatment programme and wasmaking changes.
“It’s such a shame these things happen at a time he was turning it around.”
Verdict: natural causes.
