MARY Smal, of Cropwell Bishop, had been feeling unwell for many years. One of her main problems was shortness of breath, but doctors had diagnosed her with a lung disease.

However, doctors at the City Hospital found out in 2010 that rheumatic heart disease had caused her to suffer from a condition called pulmonary hypertension.

This means her heart had to work harder to pump blood away from the lungs, putting too much pressure on them.

Surgery was considered too risky, so Mrs Smal's daughter, Lisa Smal, 35, of Bingham, met consultant cardiac surgeon Mr Raj Jutley.

"Doctors had previously said they could operate but it would be too risky and she would not survive surgery," Ms Smal said.

Mum and daughter met Dr Jutley in November 2010 to discuss Mrs Smal's case.

Mrs Smal, 73, described Dr Jutley's approach as "very tough but effective".

"He told me that if I wanted him to do the operation I had to convince him that I wanted to live.

"So I said to him I wanted to live to see my grand-children. They're all I live for."

Mrs Smal has three granddaughters, aged between eight and 13.

"I also had to vow to stop smoking," Mrs Smal said.

The mum-of-four had a double heart valve replacement carried out by Dr Jutney in December 2010.

Since then, Mrs Smal said, her life had changed completely.

"I used to always be breathless, I couldn't even walk around the supermarket while pushing a trolley. Now, I can walk around a lot more easily."

Mrs Smal has now fully recovered.

"I have a good life and am grateful for every single day," she said.

Throughout her mother's treatment, Mrs Smal's daughter started talking to Dr Jutley and became interested in his charity – the Pan Africa Heart Foundation.

Ms Smal, who runs her own recruitment consultancy, got involved and is now the charity's chief executive officer (CEO).

"I think my business background and Raj's medical expertise complement each other very well," Ms Smal added.