The 55-year-old is recovering at his sister's home in Laverton after having a ventricular assist device (VAD) connected during a major heart operation.

Mr Knowles said doctors explained to him the VAD was a type of "mechanical heart" that pumps blood through his heart.

He was rushed to hospital in Melbourne after a heart attack in August.

Doctors told the former heavy smoker he had to be revived after dying due to an enlarged heart.

His family was told to prepare for the worst.

Mr Knowles' best chance of survival was to have surgery to connect a VAD.

"I was told if I didn't get it done I would be dead," he said.

He had never heard of a VAD and went into the surgery worried about the recovery following it.

But he has been pleasantly surprised.

Mr Knowles underwent the surgery on August 21 and is now up and about and going to the gym three times a week as part of his rehabilitation.

He said he felt great because he no longer suffered from shortness of breath.

Staff at South West Healthcare need to undergo training on operating the VAD before he can return home.

He just hopes he is home for Christmas to be home with his sons Fred, 19, and Thomas, 16. "I feel good," Mr Knowles said.

"I'm very keen to get home for Christmas.

"We've asked them and they said they'll see what they can do."

Mr Knowles' sons have been visiting him every weekend, while his wife Joanne has not left his side.

He first started suffering from shortness of breath about 18 months ago.

Mr Knowles said walking to the mailbox was taxing and put it down to his smoking habit.

He worked with a road crew in traffic control and over the months his struggle to breathe got worse and worse.

"Eventually I just couldn't breathe," he said.

"I was sitting on the couch watching television and I just faded out."

Mr Knowles said doctors were doubtful he would work again. He joked he would have to take up a hobby because he wouldn't be able to stand sitting at home all day.

Mr Knowles' VAD relies on two batteries to keep it operational.

It is imperative that he ensures he always has two spare batteries in close proximity.

He carries the device in a bag around his neck.

"It's just like having a car battery around your neck," Mr Knowles said.

One thing that took Mr Knowles by surprise is the fact that he no longer has a pulse.

He said it was strange, but he was getting used to it.

At the moment he is restricted to 1500ml of fluid a day and has to reduce his salt intake.

But he still manages to sneak in the odd beer.

"I'm allowed one but I have to count it in with my fluid intake," Mr Knowles said.

Doctors told Mr Knowles they have about 30 people in Victoria each year who are fitted with a VAD.

Patients who receive a VAD should be able to breathe easier and feel less tired as blood flow to the kidneys, brain, liver and other organs, something which Mr Knowles has experienced.

His family members will also need to learn how to use the VAD.

Mr Knowles said his health scare had changed his outlook on life.

He knows he is lucky to be alive and wants to do everything in his power remain healthy.

"I think it makes you appreciate things more," Mr Knowles said.

He said he would be forever grateful to the paramedics, nurses and doctors who had given him a second chance at life.

Mr Knowles also said his wife had been a godsend, barely leaving his side and helping him every step of the way.

He is believed to be one of only a few people from the south-west who has a VAD.

Doctors believed he may have been the first, but The Standard reported back in 2010 that Sam Phayer, who was 21 at the time, had been fitted with one.

He was diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy after going to the emergency department after suffering shortness of breath and a sore chest.

He was believed to have been the first person in Warrnambool to receive one.

Heart disease affects one in six Australians, with about 55,000 heart attacks a year.

It kills one Australian every 24 minutes.

Victorians can now undergo a Heart Health Check when they visit their doctor.

The Heart Foundation initiative allows people aged over 45 and Indigenous Australians aged 30 and over to access a Medicare-funded check.

Heart Foundation Victoria chief executive officer Kellie-Ann Jolly said it was estimated the check could prevent 76,500 heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease over the next five years.

"Heart disease is the biggest killer in Victoria, yet we know that many heart attacks and strokes can be prevented by managing key risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol and other lifestyle choices," Ms Jolly said.

In 2017, more than one in every nine deaths in Victoria was as a result of heart disease.

She said while heart diseases in Victoria had fallen by more than a quarter since 2008, the prevalence of high blood pressure and obesity - both risk factors for heart disease - had increased.

Two thirds of Victorian adults are overweight or obese, while almost one in four have high blood pressure, exceeding national averages.

"What that picture tells us is Victorians are not as healthy as they think," Ms Jolly said.

She encouraged people to exercise and include fruit and vegetables in their diet.

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