At the age of 21 I went into full cardiac arrest. I was found to have 2 congenital heart defects. Over twenty years later I was  diagnosed with a congenital defect of my aorta and right subclavian artery which had formed an aneurysm on my aorta. While operating to remove the aneurysm and attach the subclavian artery to my carotid artery, I suffered an ischemic stroke which affected my entire left side. Now, a little over a year since my stroke, I am back under the care of a cardiologist with a recurrence of IST, or inappropriate sinus tachycardia with bouts of Afib. 

But I am one of the lucky ones! With a medical background I know the warning signs and I know the right questions to ask. I’m not afraid to disagree with a health provider if I feel like I’m not receiving quality care. 

In 2016 there was a study conducting by the University of Leeds in the UK which found that women are 50 times more likely than men to be misdiagnosed while having a heart attack. 

Even more shocking- 59% of black women over the age of 20 have some form of cardiovascular disease! 

Heart disease is still the #1 cause of death in the US and stroke is #5.

So I am begging for everyone to mark their calendars for September 28th to come and join me at the Tennessee Valley Heart Walk as we celebrate 100 years of the American Heart Association! 

I have set a first goal to raise $1500 this year. Please help me reach this first milestone. 

So please meet me in red at Coolidge Park on September 28th.

Walk for me. Walk for a loved one. Walk for a better future