He survived three cardiac arrests by being in the right place at the right time.

But he also credits Ballarat’s excellent health services for being alive to tell his remarkable story.

As Ballarat Health Services’ foundation and fundraising director, Mr Millar, 65, organises the annual charity fun run Run Ballarat.

On October 19 last year, he left home feeling perfectly fine to take part in the 6km run.

“My weight was under control, I had my regular GP check-ups. I did all the right things someone my age should do,” Mr Millar said.

But reaching the intersection of Mair and Lydiard streets during the run was the last thing he remembered.

“I have no memory of what happened. The details were coloured in by other people who said they saw someone who looked very pale and who then collapsed.”

Luckily for Mr Millar, also running past were an emergency physician, an anaesthetist and several nurses, all within seconds of his fall.

“I was very lucky that I was running in proximity to people who knew what they were doing.”

He was revived by CPR before an ambulance arrived. He had two more heart attacks on the way to the Base Hospital, but was again brought back with defibrillators.

Admitted to the emergency department, he regained consciousness to the sound of his wife Jan’s voice.

“I wondered where I was. I couldn’t believe it when they told me I was in ED and I’d had a heart attack. I just didn’t experience it.”

Mr Millar’s head was also bleeding from hitting the footpath, which complicated the next treatment steps as there were some concussion fears.

Eventually the call was made to take him to the cardiac catheter laboratory to install two stents, with four blockages discovered in three arteries.

“It’s really important people are aware the cardiac catheter lab can be opened for clinical need on a weekend,” Mr Millar said.

He was then taken to the coronary care unit, with a fourth stent installed the next week.

After a week in hospital, he returned home, with a fourth stent put in a few weeks after that and a cardiac rehab regime he still follows at the Queen Elizabeth Centre. 

“My doctor says I can do Run Ballarat this year – but I won’t be running it.”

Mr Millar was full of praise for the excellent health care he received.

“I know I was lucky, but everything is here in Ballarat, from the emergency services to the facilities at the hospital, to the staff. They were truly wonderful.

“My admiration for the nursing and medical staff has gone to a new level now that I’ve experienced it and seen what they can do.”

fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au