A second chance at life

Heart disease is the number one killer in North America. Every year hundreds of thousands die from heart disease. (451,326 in 2004*). But the good news is, thanks to modern medicine, many more people get a second chance. An estimated 80,700,000* people in the United States are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.

I am one of the millions living with heart disease. After my heart event I was fortunate to participate in cardiac rehab but once I “graduated” I felt very alone. And on top of that, having a heart event shakes your confidence. You feel as though your body let you down. I looked for information, moral support, and all the resources to help her with my lifestyle changes. Not finding one single source – I started smart-heart-living.com to help others.

I am creating a community for people living with heart disease – a virtual place to find and share information about lifestyle changes. And a place for people to access and order the resources they need – no matter where they are. It can feel impossible if you live out in the country, or if you have difficulty getting out.

I was an energetic 51 year-old when I was unexpectedly admitted to a critical care bed in the cardiac care unit of my local hospital three years ago. The next day I had an angioplasty to clear a 90% blockage of my left anterior descending artery.

The location of the blockage, left untreated, would have resulted in a massive heart attack.

I also learned I had a problem with my aortic valve (aortic stenosis) although I didn’t learn until some time later that my valve was bicuspid (two flaps) instead of the normal tricuspid (three flaps).

I experienced a rocky recovery – five stays in hospital, four angiograms, two angioplasties (I re-blocked), and six months off work.

I am back on track with my life now, but it’s so important for people to have support to make the changes they need to make – a great medical team, the support of loved ones, the awareness of risk factors and how to reduce them, and access to the resources you need.

* Source – American Heart Association