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Member Spotlight: A Heart Attack and a Reality Check

Posted on May 12, 2019

It felt like a huge truck was crushing my chest. It happened early in the morning. I had trouble breathing. I felt myself passing out. My boyfriend was there and quickly gave me two regular Bayer aspirins. The ambulance was there in two minutes.

The doctor said my LAD [left anterior descending] artery (known as "widow-maker") was blocked. They put two stents in. I woke up during the procedure and could feel it in my heart. They put me asleep again and I awoke to the sound of my boyfriend's voice. The [catheterization] unit nurses had let him put pressure on my leg to prevent bleeding. The doctor said the aspirins helped save my life.

I wish I had known that my artery was blocked prior to my heart attack. I knew I had been feeling short of breath. I didn't think about it being heart related. I should have known better. My mom is a retired cardiac care nurse.

Having heart disease means realizing just how precious life really is. God has given me, as well as others, a second chance at living. I had my heart attack in 2015. Since then I've learned to make better choices, especially with my diet. I don't eat as many fried foods as before. I try to eat clean and healthy. I don't go outside in the extreme heat during the summer months. If I feel tired, I rest. I have a KardiaMobile monitor that I use every day to check my heart.

I have noticed with heart disease I experience fatigue a little more frequently. Also, I can't seem to handle very warm temperatures as before. I believe it is extremely important that we encourage people to eat healthy and take care of themselves.

Maybe someday heart disease will be a thing of the past. For everyone that has it, I will say that you are not alone. I'm with you. That's what I love about MyHeartDiseaseTeam. It gives us a platform for communication. God bless you all.

This article was written by MyHeartDiseaseTeam member Donna Kinney as part of a Member Spotlight Series. Donna is a former dental office owner who loves animals, especially corgis.

Do you want to be a part of the MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member Spotlight Series?
Let us know here: support@MyHeartDiseaseTeam.com

Posted on May 12, 2019

A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member

I glad you survived your heart attack..i had one as well...I think that preventing heart attacks....should be more emphasis on...the life threating clogged arterys dont clog up overnite..and that mabe… read more

April 5
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