KEY POINTS:
Auckland businessman and NZ Rugby League ambassador Peter Leitch - aka the Mad Butcher - is urging people to visit their doctors if they feel chest pains after he had emergency heart surgery to clear a blood clot.
Mr Leitch, 63, is expected to be back on his feet today after spending the weekend at home recovering from Friday's surgery. He had a wire mesh tube, known as a stent, inserted into his artery.
Mr Leitch first noticed chest pains while dancing at the stag do of Radio Sport and TVNZ presenter Tony Veitch several weeks ago.
"I thought, 'That's no good', but I brushed it away and a couple of weeks later I got a bit of chest pain so I thought I better go to the doctor.
"The key factor is, if you're not good go to the doctor. Often us blokes tend to push it aside."
A regular at Mt Smart Stadium, Mr Leitch yesterday followed doctors' orders and watched the Warriors' loss to Wests Tigers from the comfort of his couch while doing his best to stay "very, very calm".
He admitted the blood clot had been a "wake-up call" and was relieved the problem had come to light before it became more serious.
"At times you think you are bulletproof. I've just got to be a bit careful, a bit smart."