Marco Damaggio: Personal trainer and father-to-be dies suddenly after gym workout
The 34-year-old personal trainer’s pregnant fiance has described the devastating fight to save him after what began as a ‘normal day’
Chloe MaherThe Nightly
A pregnant woman has been left devastated after her fiance died suddenly after a gym workout
Marco Damaggio, who was just 34-years-old, died of an undiagnosed heart condition on July 6 just days after he and his partner Lana Corina told friends that they were expecting their first child, People reports
Mr Damaggio became unwell during a heatwave that swept through London, initially believing the extreme temperatures may have been the cause of his breathing difficulties
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Ms Corina became concerned and contacted emergency services, but Mr Damaggio lost consciousness as they waited for first responders to arrive
She leapt into action and began performing CPR on Mr Damaggio before emergency crews took over
Despite the joint efforts to save Mr Damaggio, he sadly died
Ms Corina later discovered that Mr Damaggio had been living with a heart condition that had not been diagnosed
“It feels like my life’s stood still since July 6,” Ms Corina said, according to the outlet
She explained how the couple were celebrating a happy milestone together after they shared their baby joy at a friend’s wedding party
“The weekend before we went to a wedding party for one of his friends, it was the perfect time for him to tell everyone about the baby that we’re expecting. He wanted to be a father so much,” she said
According to Ms Corina, the morning of Mr Damaggio’s death “started as a normal day” as the pair ate breakfast together before he attended a medical appointment
“We woke up in the morning, had breakfast as always, and he went to get a blood test done because we went through fertility treatment,” she added
“He came back home and even though he didn’t tell me initially, about an hour after coming home he said he hasn’t been feeling well after the gym
“It was during the heatwave. It was 35C outside and the gym has no aircon, so I thought maybe it’s just exhaustion, having had blood taken out plus the heat and the workout.”
But the situation quickly deteriorated and descended into a “nightmare”
Mr Damaggio’s death came as a particular shock for Ms Corina, who believed his life as a personal trainer and body builder who prioritised his diet and working out meant he was a healthy man
“He always took his supplements, he always hit his macros, he only had one cheat day a week,” Corina told Kennedy News
“I was always worried that he trained too hard, but it was part of him. He did that since before I met him. That was who he was; he worked really hard
“Too many athletes such as Marco suffer or die from undiagnosed heart conditions. It seems to be very common in bodybuilding as well as football.”
A heartbroken Ms Corina now faces pregnancy and raising their child without Mr Damaggio by her side
“The baby is growing and I find it really hard to accept I’ll be a single mom because he deserved to be here,” she continued
“We found true love, which not many people get to experience in their lifetime, but it was cut short because of his undiagnosed heart condition
“Our hearts are not being checked unless something really bad happens, such as strokes or heart attacks and by then, for some, it’s too late,” Corina added
“Marco was an amazing person.”
Ms Corina’s friend Rox Redwood has set up a GoFundMe campaign to support the mother-to-be as she navigates life without Mr Damaggio
“As she faces the unimaginable heartbreak of losing the person she planned to spend the rest of her life with, she is also preparing to welcome their child into the world,” the fundraiser statement read
“No one should have to carry this emotional and financial burden alone
“We are raising funds to help ease some of the immediate pressures she now faces, every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference during this incredibly difficult time.”
