I chose to become involved with the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance as I am a woman who is living with heart disease. I was diagnosed with heart disease (WPW – Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome) in my 30’s as part of a routine annual checkup prior to getting pregnant. Born with it but never knew. Lived my life raising my children, running a household, working fulltime, living a full life without any symptoms (that I was aware of). I retired in my mid 60’s and enjoyed all that a retired life has to offer: trekking/hiking the forests and in the mountains, walking, gardening, taking care of my home, travelling, etc.
After experiencing severe vertigo with all the symptoms for a 24 hour period a few years ago I reached out to my doctor. I was back at my electro-cardiologist and the hospital for an ECG, Stress Myocardial Perfusion Imaging and monitoring to see if there was a correlation to the symptoms and the WPW. And sure enough there was. This scared me and I knew that my life would not be normal from here on out.
I had an ablation performed after which I joined a Peer support group for women with heart disease. I needed to connect with women like me. To not be alone. Shortly after joining the group and follow up appointments with both my electro-cardiologist and cardiologist I was informed the ablation was successful and am no longer required to take heart medications. I feel extremely lucky and am passionate about giving back to the community of women with heart disease as they truly helped me get through this trying time and we should not feel we are alone. Today I continue to trek and hike, garden, travel and enjoy this retiree’s life to its fullest.
