Women and Heart Disease...Be Empowered, Not Dead!

I am 43, a teacher, wife, mother, and friend. November 21, 2005, changed my life in an instant. Heart disease almost ended my life if I had listened to my family doctors instead of myself! February is National Heart Awareness, and my story is true and hopefully may save lives and educate women about unusual symptoms.

I was misdiagnosed for over three months by my family practitioners, who I thought knew the answers to my heath issues. I had all the symptoms of heart disease, but did not fall within the regular guidelines as determined by the medical community. I realize that if I have taken a stronger stand and pushed for the appropriate tests, I may have saved myself from a heart by-pass and continuing heart disease that I will live with for the rest of my life. Since I can't go back, I choose to advocate as a survivor to strive for more awareness of the number one killer among women.

Women must be more proactive when it comes to health. I endured months of chest pains, numbness in my left arm, shoulder and neck pain and loss of energy. The signs were all there, but I did not have the support of my own doctors, who I trusted. I was diagnosed with stress and panic attacks, but the fact was after my surgery, and finding an 85% blockage in my left main artery, I was told by my surgeon that I was a month away of dying from the, "Widow Maker." Because I didn't have high blood pressure, I was not obese (although I carried an extra 15 pounds), and I seemed and looked healthy so heart disease was ruled out within minutes.

I believe my experience happened for a reason though. I am young, have been relatively healthy all my life, but due to stress, family history and smoking on and off since my 20's, I almost left my husband and children motherless. When confronted with my disease, I become more aware of the limitations I am faced with everyday. I will beat this disease by keeping current with research and new medical breakthroughs, but without the help of legislature and more awareness, it's a no-win situation.

Luckily I did take my own advice regarding taking a proactive approach. Five months into recovery of my by-pass, I began having angina attacks and my energy level began to lessen. I went to have my check-up and my cardiologist informed me that it was almost impossible for me to have another blockage, and the symptoms were probably due to nerve or muscle strain. I went home and did more research on my symptoms and called back to schedule a stress test. I must preface that I had two stress tests prior to my by-pass and they came back normal. This stress test did come back indicating a blockage. I underwent another catheterization and I had a 90% blockage in the left main artery again. The problem was it was inoperable at that time because the by-pass was working, and the blockage affected smaller diagonal vessels. Performing surgery was risky to the by-pass and a stent was not possible either.

I went on a strenuous medication therapy for about three months and when that was not working, I tried a procedure called EECP which is time consuming but builds collateral to increase the blood flow. After seven weeks, I did feel good for about one month, and then the pain came back.

My cardiologist still didn't think it was due to the blockage and sent me off to my internal physician, (who is the BEST)! He wanted her to check me for stomach problems such as acid reflux. This was the last straw, because I knew it was not caused by stomach problems, and my physician agreed. She sent me for lab work and called my cardiologist with a recommendation for another catheterization.

I must say he was defensive about being questioned, but after explaining my past and knowing my body, he agreed to put a stent in if there was still a blockage. I'd rather him swallow his pride if he was incorrect, but then again, I would have loved him to be right! He was extremely skeptical, but I wasn't really concerned about his feelings at this point! The next week I underwent the catheterization and low and behold, the blockage was still there and a stent was successfully placed in the artery. It was instant relief. It has been two months, and I feel great. No pain, I have energy again, and I feel like myself!!!! I feel extremely empowered and when it comes to my life, I just may have to step on toes sometimes. I wish this was the end, but I will live with heart disease and am susceptible to blockages and have to be careful with my diet and make "exercise" a part of my life again.

As if the disease isn't bad enough, the cost of my medication and medical bills have put my family in jeopardy. I am unable teach presently, and there is little comfort in knowing that my education and career goals of teaching are further away. I switched careers at age 38 when I finally completed my higher education. I have only 2 1/2 years of educating children, and when I see the need for good teachers, it makes me strive harder to become as healthy as possible. Unfortunately, when my body leaves me unable to do simple tasks because of my disease, my positive influence in the classroom seems far away.

I ask you to take my story and push for more money for research, treatment and prevention programs. Considering that heart disease is the number one killer among women, it makes no sense that assistance is not a priority. I also promote a healthy lifestyle for our children. Obesity among children is at an all time high, but if families and schools don't promote heart healthy food choices and increase physical activity, our children will suffer.

I pose this questions to you, "What would you do for the women in your life if their symptoms were overlooked?" It's true every day that more women, young and old, leave this world because of a disease that could be prevented with securing money for heart disease through research and education. Doctors should take a step back and really spend more time looking at unusual symptoms when women come into their office. Just because we look healthy, doesn't mean our bodies are. With all the medical technology, there is little excuse for not referring a woman with symptoms such as mine to a cardiologist or a heart scan.

Let's take a stand and not just focus on February as heart awareness, but the entire year!