Jeremy Schwartz on the Alpamayo summit, Peru (Image: Jeremy Schwartz/Cleveland Clinic/SWNS)
A man who dreamt he died of a heart attack was subsequently diagnosed with a life-threatening cardiac condition requiring emergency surgery. Jeremy Schwartz, 63, experienced a vivid dream in which he suddenly suffered a fatal heart attack while scaling Ama Dablam — a 6,812m peak he was scheduled to climb in October 2025.
Jolted awake at 3am, Jeremy immediately searched online for a consultant cardiologist and secured an appointment just two days later. He underwent a heart scan, blood tests, an MRI, a CT scan and an echocardiogram — a non-invasive ultrasound scan — before being diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, a potentially fatal weakening and bulging of the aorta that can rupture, on September 26, 2025.
He was referred to Mr Cesare Quarto, a consultant cardiac surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic London, where he successfully underwent the David procedure — an open-heart operation that replaces a diseased aortic root.
Jeremy, a business executive and motivational speaker from Oxted, Surrey, said: « I am not a tarot card reader or a spiritualist and I’m not religious. I’ve never had anything like a premonition before. But this dream was so strong and so clear that it left me with an overwhelming sense of importance and urgency.
« I had an image of me dying of a heart attack on a mountain. It was so vivid, clear and memorable, I went online to research consultant cardiologists that I could see immediately. »
Jeremy Schwartz in hospital (Image: Jeremy Schwartz/Cleveland Clinic/SWNS)
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After arranging an expedition to scale Ama Dablam in Nepal, Jeremy experienced a vivid dream in which he suffered a fatal heart attack whilst ascending the mountain. He promptly sought out a consultant cardiologist, securing an appointment within days.
Jeremy recalled: « I had multiple heart scans, a full blood test, an MRI, a CT scan and an echocardiogram. The consultant told me that based on the results, I had an aortic aneurysm and I needed to cancel everything I had planned. He called a surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic who agreed and said I needed an operation. »
Jeremy described his diagnosis as a « complete shock ». Earlier in 2025, he had cycled the 1,000-mile length of Italy and completed a solo, 120-mile circumnavigation of a mountain range in Albania.
Jeremy Schwartz in hospital (Image: Jeremy Schwartz/Cleveland Clinic/SWNS)
« I think my subconscious helped make sure I became aware of something that might otherwise have remained hidden, » Jeremy said.
On November 11, 2025, Jeremy underwent open-heart surgery to replace his diseased aortic root and aneurysm whilst preserving his own aortic valve. The six-hour operation was completed without complications, and medical staff at the Cleveland Clinic had Jeremy mobilising almost immediately afterwards.
Mr Cesare Quarto, MD, PhD, who carried out Jeremy’s surgery, said: « I strongly believe some patients have an internal alarm bell that starts ringing. Some are able to hear it and some aren’t. It is not the first time I have heard a similar story. »
Reflecting on events, Jeremy believes multiple factors may have influenced the instinct he experienced regarding his forthcoming climbing expedition. Approximately a year prior, while on a work trip, he registered a higher-than-usual blood pressure measurement.
Furthermore, a friend from his local cycling club had died unexpectedly of a heart attack while riding. And subsequently, he discovered on the precise day he was due to climb Ama Dablam, another climber on the mountain collapsed and died from a heart attack.
« One of the challenges for men is we often delay taking important medical action, » Jeremy said. « A lot of these conditions are preventable or treatable if you catch them early. That’s why I went into my surgery with all guns blazing. Let’s get this thing done. »
Jeremy Schwartz in hospital (Image: Jeremy Schwartz/Cleveland Clinic/SWNS)
Following merely eight days, Jeremy was discharged and continued his recuperation at home, and recently Jeremy commenced intensive cardiac rehabilitation. Jeremy is now utilising his experience to encourage others to get themselves examined, and has arranged a heart health screening day in partnership with his local NHS GP surgery and The Cleveland Clinic on April 25, 2025.
Jeremy said: « If something feels wrong, it’s not clever or manly to pretend it isn’t. Don’t wait, don’t rationalise, don’t tough it out. Get it checked out. It’s how you get to keep living the life you love. »
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