Personal Stories
If you think that heart disease isn't your
problem, you're not alone. Some of these women thought so,
too, until a routine visit to their physician revealed serious
heart problems.
Christina Solis; Dallas, Texas
After Christina Solis started an exercise program to lose
weight, she became sick and weak. After a trip to her doctor,
she found that she had a small defect in her heart. She
had a heart attack 2 days before she was due to see a specialist.
In the emergency room, doctors discovered a hole the size
of a half dollar in her heart, which had been there since
birth. Christina underwent open-heart surgery so doctors
could repair her heart. She was able to walk within 3 days.
She immediately began a walking program to prevent further
heart problems. To help other women with heart disease,
Christina volunteers for the American Heart Association.
She teaches women how to recognize the symptoms of a heart
attack and how to talk to their doctors about heart disease.
Josephine Tucker, 59
When Josephine Tucker was 47, she had been smoking for
25 years, had a poor diet, and didn’t get any exercise.
Right after she turned 50, Josephine had a minor heart attack
and underwent triple bypass surgery. Her mother had died
of a heart attack at 73. To help educate women about their
risk for heart disease, Josephine started a cardiac support
group with people from her rehabilitation program and lectures
local students on the dangers of smoking and heart disease.
Now her daughter follows an exercise program and has her
cholesterol checked on a regular basis. “My advice
to women is to take charge of your life,” says Josephine.
“Take charge of learning all the facts about women
and heart disease.”
Reference
- “Personal
Stories,” American Heart Association, 2003.
- “Heart
Attack Survivor Helps Mend Hearts,” American
Heart Association, 2002.
- “Bypass
Survivor Takes Charge,” American Heart Association,
2002.
Source of Material: RockHill Communications, 14
Rock Hill Road Bala, Cynwyd, PA 19004, (610) 667-2040, http://www.RockHillCommunications.com
Writer: Christine Norris
Editors: Andrea King, Joanne Poeggel, Erin Murphy, Ron
Wozny
Clinical Reviewer: Patt Panzer, M.D.
Date Written: 3/1/01
Last Reviewed & Updated: 5/31/2003 |
