I have two reasons for walking this year. Their names are David and Mike.

In 2022, I lost my husband, David, to complications from heart and kidney failure. He was waiting for a transplant, but sadly passed away before one became available.

More recently, my boyfriend Mike experienced a heart attack that led to heart failure. Thankfully, his story has had a different outcome, and he's receiving treatment and doing well.

Living through both of these experiences has taught me a few things about heart disease that I wish I had known sooner.

First, age is not a guarantee of good heart health. Heart disease can affect people who seem far too young, active, or healthy for it to happen to them.

Second, heart attacks don't always look the way we expect them to. In Mike's case, we had no idea he had suffered a heart attack until months later. What we thought was a bad case of food poisoning was likely the heart attack itself.

And finally, hope matters. The science and treatments available today continue to evolve in incredible ways. Some of the therapies and medications helping people now weren't available just a few years ago. Research is making a difference, and it gives families like mine hope.

When I participate in the Heart Walk on November 7, I'll be walking in memory of David, in support of Mike, and in honor of everyone whose life has been touched by heart disease.