A GLASS fitter died after contracting an infection following heart surgery, an inquest heard.

Simon James Conroy, from Newchurch, Rossendale, had major surgery on the right side of his heart in January 2016 at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.

However he attended Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital in April complaining of feeling unwell.

The inquest at Blackburn Enterprise Centre heard the 45-year-old had also previously had his heart valve replaced with a mechanical one several years ago.

Mr Conroy had suffered from night sweats, joint pain, fevers and shivers before entering Royal Blackburn, the inquest was told.

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He was treated for suspected endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart, due to his heart valve replacement.

His condition was stable before he suddenly deteriorated and suffered a brain haemorrhage and died on Tuesday, May 3.

Dr Kanarath Balachandran, a consultant cardiologist at the hospital, said it was difficult to find the cause of Mr Conroy’s poor health.

He said: “We were treating him for suspected endocarditis because there were signs of it.

“We decided to perform a cardiogram, but it could not visualise any vegetation (bacterial) growth in the heart.

“Mr Conroy had complained of cold and numb legs when he was admitted. We thought that could have been a possible spinal issue.

“It was just not possible to diagnose endocarditis with the tests that were taken.

“We tried everything we could do to confirm the diagnosis, but tests came back negative.

“All that could be done was deliver a broad spectrum of antibiotics.

“Everything was done the right way.”

Dr Balachandran said everything seemed to progress well until the 23rd when he had the brain haemorrhage.

A post mortem examination was carried out by Dr Muammer Al-Mudhaffer, who said Mr Conroy had died of a brain haemorrhage, endocarditis, high blood pressure.

He said it was possible that a micro piece of the infection can become detached and travel around the body and cause complications.

He said: “There was evidence of endocarditis within Mr Conroy’s heart.

“His valves showed a slight narrowing.

East Lancashire coroner Michael Singleton, said the cause of death was a rare complication of appropriate surgery.

He said: “I have heard there was nothing that could have brought about a different outcome.

“I know that offers no condolences to the family.”