Help me be a Heart Walk Hero!
Did you know that 45% of women 20 & older are living with some form of heart disease? A few years ago, I became one of them! My doctor had noticed my blood pressure was elevated after multiple visits and after a lot of tests, home monitoring, doctors visits, and other modifications, I was diagnosed with isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH).
I was shocked! I was and am a healthy person- I eat right, I exercise often - heck, I’m a marathon runner and have a resting heart rate in my 50s! But due to my family history, genetics, and anxiety, I was diagnosed with IDH at 26. Thankfully, my blood pressure is under control now (as is my anxiety), but untreated and unnoticed, I could’ve had serious health problems like a stroke, heart attack, aneurysm, or a long list of other scary things.
I’m thankful to have access to incredible healthcare, a flexible employer where I could run out for doctors appointments, and a job where I have great health insurance. However this isn’t the case for so many Americans and my experience navigating this process deepened my passion for reducing barriers to affordable and accessible healthcare.
So if you haven’t been to the doctor in a while, please make an appointment today. Don’t ignore your health- even if think you’re fine! Prevention is key!
When you donate to my Heart Walk campaign, you are helping to support programs that promote wellbeing and address heath equity all across Chicagoland. Do your heart some good and please make a donation today!