Hello, friends! Have you ever felt so tired that climbing a flight a stairs felt like a race? Have you ever felt pain so intense you thought you couldn’t possibly experience it, especially when you are only 39 years old? This is the story about a young woman, who survived the unimaginable.
Let’s first ask ourselves why we dismiss our own health warnings so often, especially when it concerns something as serious as cardiovascular disease. Were we naive to think that it could happen to us? Is it because we have been conditioned to think that heart attacks only happen to people who are older or have obvious risk factors? Heart disease is not a matter of age or lifestyle. Anyone can get heart disease, so it’s important to pay attention.
Meet Tricia. She is a vibrant 39 year old woman who was living the best life she could. She worked a full-time gig, sang a few times a week and stayed active. But something was wrong. She was always tired, struggling to breath and even forgetting stuff, which is not like her. She dismissed it as stress, but she knew deep down that something was wrong. She felt a sharp back pain one fateful night while backstage in Waikiki at a performance. The pain was the same as the one she had experienced a year before when she was diagnosed myocarditis – an inflammation of her heart muscle. This time, the pain was a thousand-fold worse.
Tricia pushed through despite her discomfort in the hope of finishing her set before seeking assistance. She couldn’t take it anymore. Her fellow singers dialed 911 and she was rushed into the hospital. She was told that she was having a severe heart attack. She was 39. She underwent an emergency angioplasty to save her. Doctors also discovered that she was anemic which could have contributed her heart attack. She was sent home with cholesterol and blood-pressure-lowering medication and told to recover.
Tricia felt physically better, but mentally overwhelmed in the weeks that followed her surgery. She was depressed and anxious, dreading another heart attack. She felt she had done all the right things, but still faced this life-threatening situation. After a traumatic event, it took some time for her to seek therapy and learn the importance of mental healthcare.
Tricia’s story serves as a powerful reminder to everyone that heart disease can strike anyone, no matter their age or lifestyle. Women often experience different symptoms from men, including severe heartburn, nausea, and back pain. The mental toll can be as important as the physical recovery. Tricia’s story also shows the importance of advocating oneself and being informed about your own health in healthcare settings.
Tricia’s life changed dramatically after her heart attack. She quit her corporate job in order to pursue her passion of singing and entertaining. She traveled the world and performed on cruise ships. She became an ambassador for American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, sharing her story in order to raise awareness of heart health.
What’s the main takeaway? Heart disease is not discriminatory. Heart disease can affect anyone, regardless of age. Listen to your body and advocate for yourself. Seek medical attention if you feel something is off. Remember that mental health is as important as physical, especially following a traumatic experience.
Remember this as we conclude: Your health is the most important asset you have. Never ignore warning signs, take care of your health, and be an advocate for yourself. Always listen to your body, stay informed, and always be healthy.
