Nothing is more powerful than a story from the heart.  Stories of survival make the facts and figures on women's heart disease come to life and echo the importance of our messages of prevention and early detection, accurate diagnosis, and proper treatment.

Carol - "I started having indigestion late one afternoon while meeting with clients.  As I sat listening to the auctioneer present my clients with various alternatives to selling their home, the pain intensified.  I told my client, who happened to be a doctor, about my symptom, and he explained that it may be a gall bladder issue since I had no other symptoms of a heart attack.  He advised me to go straight to the ER – just in case. 

I drove myself to the ER where my EKG was good, but my blood work showed indicated heart muscle damage.   I know now that I lost valuable time in driving myself to the hospital - I might have been spared some muscle damage had I been treated by medics who could administer appropriate care en route and ensured that I received immediate medical attention once I arrived at the hospital.  Any woman in need of emergency medical care should call 9-1-1!  Not only can EMTs provide timely and necessary care, but they also ensure that you will be taken to a hospital that can handle your needs as a cardiac patient.  

After my catheterization, the cardiologist told me husband my arteries were as clear as could be.  I was not overweight, exercised up to 6 times per week, and my cholesterol levels were as low as any he had seen.  He said it was the most bizarre case he had had."

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Cindy - "I didn't recognize the significance of my family history as a risk factor for heart disease.  I was healthy, fit.  And after feeling faint during my daily workouts I underwent a stress test, and was told I was fine. 

I had made a resolution to racewalk in every race sponsored by our area's running club.  Five months after the stress test, I competed in the sixth race of the season.  Two hours after crossing the finish line, I suffered a heart attack due to a full blockage in the right anterior descending artery.  I ignored my symptoms and waited 3 days before going to the doctor.  He told me I'd had a heart attack.

After my recovery I turned again to my commitment to race.  I competed (and won) a 5K just two months after my heart attack.  Almost five years later I still racewalk, entering almost every race in my area.  I hope that by competing I am showing those with heart disease that life can go on." 

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Janice - "Early one morning I began having pain in my chest and sweating.  It felt like all my body functions were out of control.  I did not think that what was happening was a heart attack, but to be on the safe side my husband and I left for the hospital.  I was hooked up to an EKG immediately.  I was shocked when the hospital staff told me I was having a heart attack.  I was rushed into surgery and had one stent placed.  In recovery, I had another heart attack.  I went back into surgery and had two more stents placed.  Later, the doctors told me there was evidence that I had also had an unrecognized stoke and heart attack.  

Today, I feel great!  I still have good and bad days, but I wake up every morning looking forward to the day and its opportunities.  I've learned from my heart disease, and now I take better care of myself than before my heart attacks."

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Rhonda - "I was four days post-partum when I experienced a nagging pain in my left arm, should, neck and breast.  I took a hot shower to relax my muscles as I attributed the pain to childbirth.  The next day that pain came back with vengeance and I experienced the full gamut of symptoms - crushing sub-sternal chest pain, left arm numbness, tingling, pain in my left arm. I broke out sweating, vomiting.  Classic male symptoms.  The only problem, I wasn't a middle-aged white male.

I called 911 and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance only to be told that I couldn't possibly be having a heart attack.  I was observed and released.  I persisted that it was my heart and continued to seek treatment for a week before anyone listened.

After a seven day heart attack, I was back in the ER again when the same cardiologist said, "Young lady, I'm glad you were persistent.  You are having a heart attack and now we have to transfer you downtown to save your life."

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