The Coombs resident suffered two heart attacks in 2007 and 2008, which he said was a desperately needed wake up call for his own health.

“Now I’m totally passionate about the secondary prevention of heart attacks,” he said.

“Statistics show that one in four people have a second heart attack within two years of the first.”

As part of his lease on life, Mr Morgan has been keeping active by regularly walking his dog Billy five times a week.

He said on average he walks more than 100 kilometres a month with his four-year-old border terrier.

“It’s often said that walking is the best form of exercise for the elderly,” he said.

“With Billy, because he requires a lot of exercise, he motivates me to get on my feet.”

The 81-year-old said he walks to keep fit with Billy twice a day, often walking for up to an hour at the time.

In the process, he said he had lost 21 kilograms since he started the new exercise regime.

"That’s been the biggest change, and I now consider myself quite fit and healthy,” he said. “I’m extra lucky because a lot of people around my age can’t do it.”

This week marks Heart Week, and as a member of Heart Support Australia, Mr Morgan said walking can be one of the simplest ways to improve heart health.

It’s estimated walking for half an hour on most days can almost halve the risk of heart disease.

While Mr Morgan said he aimed to increase his health following his two heart attacks, having Billy as motivation for exercise has made things easier.

“He’s a best mate and an excellent companion,” he said. “It took about three months after my heart attack before I was fully or totally confident about going on extended walks.”

Mr Morgan said he has no intention of letting his age stop his exercise routine, and said there were many other benefits other than weight loss.

“At my age, I should be feeling aches and pains all over,” he said. “But the benefits are being able to get out of bed in the morning without the aches and pains.”