“This is a sponsored post in collaboration with the American Heart Association; all opinions are entirely my own.”
You might never expect to be diagnosed with a heart illness. But that day will sit with you for the rest of your life.
In 2015, I had a horseback riding accident and a lot of health problems started to stem because of it. A few months afterward, I went to the doctor and told her I wasn't feeling very well. When the doctor listened to my heart, she ordered an EKG to be done in the cardiac ward of our hospital. I remember my husband driving me over and getting prepped to have it done. Of course, you don't get your results the same day, so you have to go through the waiting game.
A few days later my doctor called to tell me that my results came back abnormal. She had set me up to have an appointment with a cardiologist that same week.
At the cardiologist, I was set up with a Holter monitor to wear and an echocardiogram. And that's when I was told that I had a heart murmur.
Heart murmurs can go away.. I was diagnosed when I was 27 years old and now fast forward 3 years later, I still have it. So I guess mine is a lifer.
Learning you have heart problems or disease is a hard thing to go through alone. I'm grateful that I had my family to support me but sometimes it's nice to hear from people that have already went through what you are. That's why The American Heart Association Support Network is so amazing. With around 117K members, the Support Network is an online social network made up of people who have went through what you are now. The network includes survivors, caregivers, family members and friends whose lives have been changed by cardiovascular diseases or stroke. You can share experiences, offer guidance, provide support during challenging times, share your health story and ask questions. You can also learn more about your heart condition, have a conversation with others just like you, while you get emotional support after a heart attack or stroke which is so important! And best of all, it's free to join.
Having a heart condition can be scary and you don’t need to do it alone. If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition or know someone who has, make sure to sign up for the American Heart Association Support Network. Sometimes the best medicine to help you get through something is just to have someone else understand.
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