A MAN in his 70s who had significant problems with his heart died at Hereford County Hospital.

Ronald Addis from Lyonshall died on January 26, aged 75.

An inquest at Herefordshire Coroner's Court heard he was admitted to hospital following a fall on January 22 after experiencing heart arrhythmia.

He was released the same day but had to be brought back in the following day.

By the 24th Mr Addis appeared to have stabilised but on the 25th his condition deteriorated. He was administered amiodarone, to which he had an allergic reaction. The medication was changed and he died the following day.

However, the inquest heard that he was so severely unwell that the allergic reaction was not the main cause of death.

Coroner Mark Bricknell recorded a narrative verdict which said: "Mr Addis was critically unwell. He had significant pre-existing cardiac disease. Adrenalin was required to maintain his blood pressure. He had an anaphylactic reaction to amiodarone. But in addition cardiogenic shock and ventricular tachyarrhythmia contributed to his rapid deterioration."

A post mortem recorded he died from cardiorespiratory and multiple organ failure, with distributive and cardiogenic shock at 1b, and anaphylactic reaction at 1c. At 2 ischemic heart disease, heart failure, moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, tachyarrhythmia and coronary heart disease were also listed.