A keen runner and fitness fanatic died after suddenly collapsing at home, an inquest has heard.
David Graham Gowan-Porter, from Aberdare, died on August 22, 2020 after he returned from exercising struggling to breathe.
On Wednesday, February 9 an inquest at Pontypridd Coroner's Court heard Mr Gowan-Porter, 63, was looking forward to his retirement before he suddenly passed away.
The security worker had returned to his home after going out to exercise, as he complained of having difficulties breathing.
A statement was read on behalf of his wife, Dawn Gowan-Porter, who explained Mr Gowan-Porter had spent some time serving in the army during his younger years. He later went onto work in security, and he dedicated most of his life to working in the industry.
The inquest was told he was also diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, which is a rare disease caused by inflammation.
Mrs Gowan-Porter said: "Dave never had a single day away from work due to illness. He had turned his thoughts towards a happy and well-earned retirement."
Mr Gowan-Porter was also said to be very much into fitness, and was described as being a "keen runner" who had taken on marathons and also had a passion for martial arts.
He even started a class to teach children that grew to attract more than 20 students.
Re-calling events from August 22, 2020, Mrs Gowan-Porter said: "Dave got up as normal. He got up to exercise and came back towards the house holding his chest, saying he couldn't breathe. He collapsed, injured his face and he fell. He was having trouble breathing and his face was turning blue."
Mrs Gowan-Porter then called for an ambulance at around 10.19am, but couldn't travel to the hospital with her husband due to the coronavirus restrictions that were in place at the time.
The inquest was told Mr Gowan-Porter was taken to Prince Charles Hospital, and Mrs Gowan-Porter kept calling to try and find out what was wrong with her husband. Hours later it was claimed she was finally told it wasn't looking good and he later died.
She said: "I was told there was only a small chance of Dave pulling through. I can't understand why it took the hospital more than five hours to inform me."
The inquest was also told Mr Gowan-Porter was known to have asthma, a history of shortness in breath and he also had a pace-maker fitted.
It was also heard that an MRI scan carried out prior to his death was said to be "normal".
He was prescribed steroids to aid the treatment of Sarcoidosis - a rare condition that causes small patches of red and swollen tissue to develop in the organs of the body.
The hearing was told there is not a wide range of information available in relation to how the condition can be treated, as it isn't very common.
Dr Alexander Brown, Respiratory Clinician at Prince Charles Hospital, said the condition is quite rare.
He said: "Some people have no symptoms. There is no clear guidance on what form of treatment there is. My treatment would have been based on research available at the time."
Dr Brown said the most common form of treatment to aid the condition was steroid treatment, with the aim to reduce the dosage overtime.
He added: "It varies a lot on patient to patient. He was on 20mg of steroids, and we had discussed dosages. If it had been personally down to me I would have been inclined to lower the dose."
Pathology findings revealed Mr Gowan-Porter had a clot in his leg. Dr Jason Shannon provided the medical cause of death as pulmonary thrombo-embolism and deep vein thrombosis.
Coroner David Regan accepted this finding when concluding the inquest.
Mr Regan told the inquest: "David Gowan-Porter, aged 63, suffered ischemic heart disease, Sarcoidosis and had a pace-maker fitted.
"On the morning of August 22, 2020 he collapsed and was taken to Prince Charles Hospital.
"He was referred for medical assessment. Before this he collapsed at 2.25pm. Attempts of resuscitation were unsuccessful.
"Clexane should have been administered at about 1pm however it is unlikely that this would have prevented the death.
"The conclusion is a short-form conclusion of natural causes."
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