A BURNLEY pensioner died from complications during an operation aimed at saving her life, an inquest was told.

Marigold Boggs, 67, of Roughlee Grove, underwent the operation to reduce a narrowing of the arteries in her neck that doctors feared could cause a fatal stroke.

But she suffered a heart attack during the operation at Burnley General Hospital on February 17 and died two days later.

Surgeon Dr Haythan Al-Kaffaf told the inquest at Burnley

how Mrs Boggs

had numerous health problems, including diabetes, chest problems, high cholesterol and hypertension.

She had been referred to him in 2001 and scans showed a narrowing of the arteries in the neck. An operation is recommended when the narrowing reaches 70 per cent.

Mrs Boggs had a successful operation on arteries on the left side of her neck in 2003 when they reached 80 per cent.

But the hearing heard how the same operation after the right hand side arteries reached 70 per cent caused a heart attack.

Dr Al-Kaffaf said the operation was aiming to prevent a fatal stroke.

Home Office pathologist Dr Naomi Carter said the cause of death was a small heart attack and that Mrs Boggs had also suffered a stroke, which she believed was secondary to the heart attack.

She said Mrs Boggs had a number of health problems for a long time that were all risk factors in "furring" up the arteries and causing a stroke.

She added: "An operation is a stressful procedure and will increase the chances of a heart attack. The added stress of the operation has pushed her over the edge."

Mrs Boggs' family said her health had been deteriorating.

Daughter Elaine Brearley said: "If she had not had the surgery she would not have lasted long. At the time we just wanted her to have the operation and feel better."

Recording a verdict of natural causes, coroner Richard Taylor said: "This is a lady who had significant health problems and required treatment for a potentially fatal condition."