After passing out as a teenager a few times, I was diagnosed with cardiac arrythmias, most notably SVT and acquired long QT. With medication and routine checkups with an electrophysiologist, I was good!
After two back to back pregnancies (which causes intense stress on the body and blood vessels due to increased blood volume among thousands of other fluctuations), my heart just could not keep up. I lost a bunch of weight, was short of breath with daily activities, and constantly tired - excessively so even with two little kids. After learning my heart atria were dilated and my arrythmias needed a stronger plan of attack, my electrophysiologist implanted a continuous EKG monitor and created a new plan with meds and lifestyle changes that included a lot more rest than I had built into my life previously...and WALKING! As a hiker and previous runner and gym-goer, this was challenging.
My heart is now more or less back to normal aside from some residual arrythmias I have to watch carefully. I still monitor my heart rate closely and plan to leave my heart monitor in as a placeholder for a pacemaker or defibrillator down the road, but by the grace of God I can live a normal life as long as I maintain my appointments, adjust my meds as needed, and do moderate exercise like WALKING, yoga, and the occasional jog or strenuous hike as long as I keep my heart rate in a specific range.
I will forever advocate for close cardiac monitoring in pregnancy and postpartum and will always walk and/or support the Heart Walk because I truly believe in the mission and have lived out a positive outcome.
We're stronger together!
Please consider walking or donating to the cause, but above all else, listen to your body, get regular checkups, and speak up when something doesn't feel right!
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After two back to back pregnancies (which causes intense stress on the body and blood vessels due to increased blood volume among thousands of other fluctuations), my heart just could not keep up. I lost a bunch of weight, was short of breath with daily activities, and constantly tired - excessively so even with two little kids. After learning my heart atria were dilated and my arrythmias needed a stronger plan of attack, my electrophysiologist implanted a continuous EKG monitor and created a new plan with meds and lifestyle changes that included a lot more rest than I had built into my life previously...and WALKING! As a hiker and previous runner and gym-goer, this was challenging.
My heart is now more or less back to normal aside from some residual arrythmias I have to watch carefully. I still monitor my heart rate closely and plan to leave my heart monitor in as a placeholder for a pacemaker or defibrillator down the road, but by the grace of God I can live a normal life as long as I maintain my appointments, adjust my meds as needed, and do moderate exercise like WALKING, yoga, and the occasional jog or strenuous hike as long as I keep my heart rate in a specific range.
I will forever advocate for close cardiac monitoring in pregnancy and postpartum and will always walk and/or support the Heart Walk because I truly believe in the mission and have lived out a positive outcome.
We're stronger together!
Please consider walking or donating to the cause, but above all else, listen to your body, get regular checkups, and speak up when something doesn't feel right!