By his own admission Mr Prater should have died many times.

Since 2012, Mr Prater has been diagnosed with a myriad of conditions from atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm), brachycardia (a slow heart beat) to sleep aponea.

He has suffered a mini-stroke, a heart attack, had four stents put in, and is now pacemaker dependent. 

But Barry is still kicking around; he’s still laughing, making dry jokes, and remaining positive. 

In light of Sunday’s Stroke Awareness Day, Mr Prater is sharing his secret to success – not waiting to seek help.

“Men especially are warriors,” Mr Prater said. 

“It’s all shield and spears, they don’t want to be vulnerable, they don’t want to seem weak.

“They’ll get a flutter in the heart and say ‘oh I’ll be okay’.

“You can get yourself in trouble real quick doing that.

“My advice is get a check up every six to 12 months and ask for an atrial fibrillation screening – it’s very, very simple.

“Checking in has saved my life so many times.”

Mr Prater said it was essential to be tested for atrial fibrillation as people with the disease, which can affect any gender or age, are five times more likely to have a stroke.

Earlier in his life the 68-year-old had more of a “warrior” view of his health.

“One morning I woke up and my face had dropped on one side but I didn’t pay too much attention, life continues,” he said.

“A week later my wife and I were driving to Beechworth and I said ‘I feel weak on my right side’ it was very difficult to move and I ended up in hospital for 10 days after a mini-stroke.”

Mr Prater, who worked in Wagga as a gambling counsellor, once drove all the way home to the Border with a pulse of 120 and blood pressure of 100/50.

By 10pm that night be was in St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, with stents implanted in his heart. 

These days, Mr Prater is very conscious of changes in his body and quick to seek help.

“It’s been five years of hell,” he said.

“But I have a positive attitude which I think helps.

“Be aware of your body and if it doesn’t feel right take action, that’s the best advice I can give someone.”

His wife of 45 years, Shayne, has been by his side every step of the way and seen first hand the importance of seeking help.

She said too many people feel a niggle and book and appointment for a week or day’s time, instead of going straight to hospital.

Mr Prater now speaks at pharmaceutical conferences about his experience with atrial fibrillation.