Editor’s note: This is a first-person account written by Kim Sidrak
When I was 46 years old, I had a severe heart attack. It was Wednesday evening, June 4, 2014. It was a day I will never forget. My grandmother and mother both died of heart disease in their early 50s, so I knew heart disease ran in my family. I’ve read about heart disease in women, eating healthy, being active, and maintaining cholesterol levels. I tried all of those things. However, 6 months before the heart attack, my doctor prescribed me medication for high cholesterol. The reason is that diet and exercise alone were not able to lower the numbers sufficiently.
I trained regularly and actively participated in an 8-week bootcamp fitness program. Then one night I went home with a pain in my back between my shoulder blades. I thought it might be muscle related. I then told the trainer about my family history and we continued working out. Three weeks later, she experienced the same pain again, but this time it got worse and worse, so she laid down and told her husband to call 911. Because she had read and was knowledgeable about heart disease in women, she felt this medical concern was a possibility. Heart related.
By the time the ambulance arrived, I was in severe pain. I remember throwing up and breaking into a cold sweat. I passed out while the paramedics were taking me down the stairs. Looking back now, I remember them hitting me and saying, “Stay with us!” Upon arrival at the emergency department, a defibrillator was used to resuscitate him. I was immediately taken back for surgery. My main artery was 100% blocked and a stent was inserted to restore blood flow to my heart.
For a month, my recovery included cardiac rehabilitation. He also had to take multiple medications over the years. I was excited to go to cardiac rehab because I was active before my heart attack and wanted to get active again as soon as possible. Cardiac rehabilitation consisted of supervised exercise three times a week. Once a week, I received education about heart disease, exercise, healthy eating, and current medications. After a month of cardiac rehabilitation, I was instructed to have someone accompany me during exercise, which I did.
Nine years after my heart attack, I eat healthy, exercise daily, and pay attention to the signs and symptoms of heart disease. My diet consists of low-fat proteins with fruits and vegetables. Also eat good carbohydrates like oatmeal and whole grain bread. I see my doctor and cardiologist every year. I also measure my blood pressure at home. Luckily, I’m only on one medication right now.
Looking back on this experience, the most helpful advice I would give is to be active, eat a heart-healthy diet, and manage stress as much as possible. Even moderate activity like walking is critical to our health, but all of these actions collectively play a role in maintaining health. Always consult your doctor if you have concerns about your heart health. Keep track of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other values. I learned that heart disease doesn’t just happen to people who lead an unhealthy lifestyle. I hope my story resonates with others. I learned that complete health requires taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
