In a heartbeat, you could be the difference.

9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital don’t survive. Most of the time, it’s because no one nearby performed CPR. But together, we can change that.

Extraordinary things happen when people take action. A small step. A simple skill. A lifesaving moment. Heart Walk brings communities together to create health and hope for every heartbeat. Every walker who joins, every dollar donated, means more people trained in CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone.  

Extraordinary starts with YOU. Help me reach my goal today!

The first time I experienced sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) was on Saturday, April 25, 2015. It had been a normal, busy day. I had fallen asleep for a quick nap and was awakened by my husband getting dressed for a party. We had planned to attend the party, but he didn’t want to disturb my rest. I got up, got dressed, and we headed to a local pub about a 25-minute drive away.

We had been at the party for less than 10 minutes when I sat down and suddenly slumped to the floor. I was experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Because I was unconscious, much of what happened next was told to me by several friends who were there. Fortunately, someone at the party was a nurse. She immediately began administering CPR and continued until the paramedics arrived and took over. I
wear “long-wear” red lipstick, and afterward, a friend said the nurse had difficulty removing my red lipstick off her lips. I am so thankful she wasn’t afraid to “go all in” and do whatever was necessary to save my life! I understand that the paramedics used the defibrillator three times before my heart began
beating again.

After I recovered, I struggled with the idea of receiving an implantable defibrillator, also known as a cardiac electronic implantable device. Because sudden cardiac arrest can happen without warning or obvious symptoms, and because I felt fine afterward and had been in great physical shape, I was hesitant to believe that I needed a device. However, I am so grateful that I ultimately decided to have one implanted because, in 2023, I experienced another sudden cardiac arrest.

After my first cardiac arrest, I was determined to continue living an active and healthy lifestyle. I had to push myself beyond my fear of exercising after SCA and learn to trust my body again. I started very slowly, testing my physical limits and gradually increasing my activity. Each time I accomplished a goal, I became more confident that my body would not fail me. I began tracking my heart rate while exercising and paying close attention to how I was feeling. Whenever my cardiac electrophysiologist reviewed my device information, I would ask whether my device had detected anything or whether it appeared that it might need to deliver a shock again. The one significant change I have made to my lifestyle is that I no longer run for exercise.

My life—and the lives of the people around me—have changed because of these experiences. I have developed a deeper sense of gratitude and spirituality. I try not to take life, opportunities, conversations, connections, or the people I love for granted. I also encourage the people around me, particularly my family, to live healthy lifestyles and take care of themselves. One relative who is not as healthy as I am once said that I should be wondering, “Why me?” instead of her because she was not as healthy as I was.I assured her that I was glad it was me. I believe that because I was healthy and
physically active, I may have had a better chance of surviving.

Sudden cardiac arrest changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. It challenged me physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but it also gave me a renewed appreciation for life. Today, I am grateful to be here, grateful to the people who acted without hesitation when I needed them most, and grateful for the technology that gave me another layer of protection when my heart needed it.

The American Heart Association has been an invaluable resource for me, providing access to information, education, and resources that have helped me along my journey. Through this experience, I have created a website, become an advocate and spokesperson for women living with heart disease, particularly those of us with cardiac electronic implantable devices (CEIDs).

I am especially grateful for the wealth of educational materials available through the American Heart Association. Having access to downloadable PDFs that can be printed, copied, and shared at community events has been incredibly helpful in raising awareness and providing others with valuable information. I am particularly thankful for the resources focused on women’s heart health, as they help shine a much-needed light on the unique experiences and challenges women face with heart disease.

After 11 years, I can finally admit that I have heart disease. Saying those words has not been—and still is not—easy. I have always considered myself healthy. I did the “right” things, took care of myself, and never imagined that I would find myself living with heart disease. But I have learned that having heart disease does not mean that my heart—or my body—has failed me.

These are words of wisdom that I live by: “Your heart or your body did not fail you. Pick up from where you are and live your best life—with heart disease.” These words stay with me. They remind me that my diagnosis is a part of my story, but it does not define who I am or limit the life I can live. I am learning to embrace where I am, use my experience to help others, and live my best life—with heart disease.