CHICHESTER, ENGLAND — Joe Boothroyd, 71, killed himself by drilling a hole in his heart because he could no longer bear the pain of the heart disease angina, a coroner's inquest in this southern English town heard Wednesday. The coroner ruled the death a suicide.

[Angina pectoris is a heart condition characterized by paroxysms or attacks of pain, sometimes mild, often agonizing. Attacks are usually precipitated by interference in the oxygen supply to the heart muscles. Prolonged attacks can lead to genuine heart attacks. Rest and relaxation is its primary treatment.]