Fatos Erguven, MA Counselling Psychology, MSc Behaviour Therapy

Ottawa, ON

Person with Lived Experience
Ottawa, ON

CWHHA member since April 2024

Biography

Where do I begin? In June 2002, I was on my way to work. On a roundabout, I felt very uncomfortable. I remember a heavy chest, shortness of breath and sweating. I took the exit to the hospital. There, I was initially told I had heartburn. Luckily, a nurse noticed the ST Depression on the ECG. I was in ICU for two nights. First MI at 42. 

Since then, I have had a few more ‘incidents’, plenty of angiograms, five stents, and too many drugs to list. Recently I have been diagnosed with Premature aggressive atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and Coronary vasospastic disease. Happy to have a diagnosis, but honestly I’m not sure what’s changed.

The main thing I have learned through all of this is to assert myself and speak up. That helps me and the doctors. I wake up each day with a positive attitude and plan how to use the energy I have. I’m excited to be a part of the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance in the hopes of helping/educating others.