While I was in college, I got a 6 a.m. phone call that changed everything. My sister told me our mom was in an ambulance having a heart attack. It was during COVID, and she was completely alone.
What made it so shocking was that my mom was extremely healthy — she walked daily, played golf several times a week, and had been told the year before she had 0% plaque around her heart. A heart attack was the last thing we expected.
She survived a rare type of heart attack called SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) — a tear in her coronary artery that completely blocked her LAD. Commonly referred to as the “widow maker.” Doctors told us she was incredibly lucky; just 30 minutes later, the outcome could have been very different.
Recovery was long and difficult. For months, she couldn’t do everyday tasks and was told to avoid stress and strong emotions due to the risk of recurrence.
The hardest part? She didn’t even realize how much stress she was carrying.
I’m here as a Woman of Impact to raise awareness for women’s heart health and SCAD. This mission is deeply personal — my mom is my best friend, and because of the incredible doctors, nurses, and researchers, we are lucky to still have her today.
Thank you for supporting the American Heart Association and helping save lives. ❤