My exAbf had heart surgery (pacemaker installed, but it doesn't actually pace his heart) for the same kind of reasons: help from others, drinking and drugging money and escape from police.
It looks like this:
In terms of Police: trying to dine and dash on bar tabs> police are called> "My heart my heart!"> Ambulance to the hospital> police leave> doctors give the ok> back out he goes for more drinking/drugs. He does this all the time - every single binge.
In terms of money: I need more heart medication. My heart doesn't feel right, I can't work. But my rent needs to be paid/I don't have food in my house/ I need etc etc etc.
The reason I don't believe he has a real heart problem: he uses every sort of drug to get high, stays up for weeks on end, and has no ill effect EVER from his heart. It is used like currency.