Woman With Heart Disease, Age 55, Ottawa, ON
My name is Diane Burton, I'm 55 years old and I have heart disease. I was not at risk of a heart attack; after all I was only 54 years old. My husband's father passed away at the age of 52 with a massive heart attack, so he was the one we worried about. Although my mother had a triple by-pass at 72, I was always told I wasn't at risk since my parents did not have heart related issue in their 50-60's.
I did take pills for cholesterol and had gained weight, but exercise became less of a priority because I always had so many other things to get done and I was always so tired. August 2012, I had pain in my arms and back - so I thought, it must have been something I did or lifted. I had indigestion; it must have been something I ate. I was so tired; I guess I've been working too hard. While at work, I started to have chest pains and I called my husband and told him I was going to the hospital. He wanted to pick me up but I insisted there was no need, as I am not that far, I can drive myself. Besides, a heart attack was the last thing I thought it was.
Thankfully I got to the hospital safely and when I told them my symptoms, they took me right away. After some tests, I was told that my enzyme levels where high. I wasn't sure what that meant. After doing tests, they discovered that I had 99% blockage and two stents where put in. When my husband informed family and friends they were as shocked with the news as I was.
Join me as I share with you some of my lessons learned and how I'm living heart disease now.