As women, we give a lot of thought to our exterior appearance and how we can better enhance ourselves. But I’ve come to realize that a perfect body is not the number one asset. At the age of 26, I almost died of heart disease because I wasn’t fully aware or educated about the risks and how my heart was my biggest threat.
I knew something was wrong when my breathing became labored while I was running. I experienced high fevers and started losing weight rapidly. After a lifesaving valve replacement surgery, I began volunteering with the American Heart Association as a way to thank the organization for what I believe gave me a second chance at life.
Within three months of surgery, I began skiing and biking again. On the two-year anniversary of my surgery, I entered my first 20K race as a walker. In 1995 the American Heart Association documented this journey to New York to compete in the New York City Marathon. Since then I have completed seven marathons and over 22 half marathons. I am now training to compete in the 2008 Big Sur Marathon with my husband Randy, who’s a cardio-thoracic surgeon, and with my 14-year-old son David.
In addition, my friends and family participate in the Denver Heart Walk every year. I have served on the Go Red For Women committee for the last three years and speak at the Go Red For Women luncheons throughout the country.
I had my second open-heart surgery at age 37 in December 1999. In September 2007, I had a medical procedure to correct rapid and irregular heartbeats. And I continue to volunteer and exercise faithfully.
I have been the subject of many interviews about women and heart disease. In 1998 Barbara Walters interviewed me on the ABC talk show “The View.” And I appeared in such publications as Walking, Weight Watchers, Good Housekeeping and Parade. I am especially proud of the American Heart Association advertisements in which I show my scar as a reminder that just because you can’t see heart disease doesn’t mean it’s not there.
And here I am doing it again, but on my own, because I want my story to inspire and educate women about their risk of heart disease. Heart disease is an equal opportunity killer and let’s fight it together.
Through my experiences and working with the American Heart Association, my life has forever changed. I want women to know that without my heart, I wouldn’t be here today to worry about the little things in life such as how I will spend time with my son and husband or what I am going to wear out to dinner with my girlfriends.
Today, I am a survivor of cardiovascular disease – a killer that’s taking more women’s lives than any other causes of death.
Please take a moment to Go Red with me. By joining the movement, you are exercising the power that you have to fight heart disease. You will learn what it takes to have a healthy heart and save lives by sharing the Go Red message with other women.
I am now 46 years old and I love my heart. And this is my story.
I very happy for your life i try to do the heart walk each year last year because other pledge i was unable to walk but this year iam back! my mother died at 72 from heart problems to young for sure.
I so happy your are doing well thank you for sharing god bless you!
By: Steven H Kohne on February 26, 2008
at 6:40 pm
Thanks for the great job you are doing for yourself and spreading the word to others. I also exercise a couple of hours before I go to work, did my first triathlon at age 56 and lost over a 100 lbs several years back and have kept it off. I try and inspire all the gym goers and even got our whole office to wear red on RED Day.
Thanks again for your message
judy
By: judy schroeder on February 26, 2008
at 7:42 pm
Hi Dawn,
You go, girl! I also have had heart surgery twice — once when I was 2 and again in 2001 when I was 26. I had a stroke in early 2001, as a fit active 26-year-old, and that’s when they found the second hole (between my atria this time). Doctors believe an embolism snuck through the tiny hole and made it to my brain. I was very fortunate to have no lasting effects whatsoever from my stroke.
I was a “blue baby” (born with a large hole between my ventricles) and was extremely lucky to get surgery early enough in my life to thwart brain damage. In 1976, when I had my surgery, it wasn’t as routine a surgery as it thankfully is today. I am the first of my family to live through this genetic defect into adulthood. (A great aunt and distant cousin also had the defect, and both, sadly, died in their teens or before.)
Today I am happy and healthy at age 33. I participate every year in the Heart Walk, and encourage my friends and family to come along. I feel fortunate to be able to continue all the activities I love — rock climbing, hiking, etc.
I was particularly happy to see you flaunting your scar. Mine is also impressive, and because I have had it for so long, I am utterly unabashed about whether or not it shows. (Except during job interviews, that is.) I have had many friends compliment me for being so serene about it — and several women friends tell me how sexily confident it appears. Of course, to me, this is just how I look. I can’t imagine having an unmarked sternum.
My favorite reply to questions about what it is? “Yeah, knife fight. You should see the other bitch.” Since I have the appearance and demeanor of a really sweet librarian — that always gets a laugh.
Rock on,
Anna
By: Anna Brinkmann on February 26, 2008
at 11:53 pm
I too am a survivor of heart disease.
I was born with atrial stenosis (smaller atria than normal, which blood at times has a hard time getting through), mitral valve prolapse (now with regurgitation), and cardiomyopathy.
I was 21 when I had my first and 26 when I had my second heart attack.
I am glad to be alive and kicking. I am so glad to see that there are others that “flaunt” our battle wounds, to get out the message that heart disease kills, and kills more women than men due to the fact that we women have different signs and symptoms than a male, and the fact that alot of doctors do not realize that men and women have different s/s of heart disease.
Thanks
By: Rebecca on February 27, 2008
at 5:42 am
i would just like to thank you for doing this for all of us women that fight this disease all our life, i was born with a half of heart and i have been through alot over the years, three years ago i had what you call a bleed out in my lung and that was scary i could have died but my heart doc saved my life,, and although i have never had any heart surgeries i still fight with the breathing issues and the other day to day stuff like walking my dog is hard for me and it upsets me and makes me mad that i cant do a simple thing like walk my dog.. but im going to be walking in the oregon heart walk and my family and freinds have been by my side all my life and my mom is the biggest suporter of my fight againts this and so im happy to say that when iw as born 31 years agao they told her i would not live to see 2 well im still here 31 yeras later and i have never heart surgrie and im living life to my best.. so agian thank you for being part of this fight…
melinda
By: melinda on March 10, 2008
at 10:19 pm
Hi Dawn,
Finally some press about a different kind of heart disease! The mass majority think that heart disease originates with high cholesteral, high blood pressure, and clogged arteries. While, I embrace our brothers and sisters who face this kind of challenge, I also am passionate about telling the rest of the story as I think many more lives can be saved if people know that heart disease is also about valves that don’t open and close properly, hearts with holes that shouldn’t have holes, and much much more. I am often shocked at the shock that I see on people’s face when they learn that I have had open heart surgery. It is simply a sign of our opportunity to spread the word and educate people.
We have much in common. I had valve repair surgery in 2004. I am active and exercise 5-6 days per week: running, pilates, cardio classes, etc. Last year, I ran the Boulder Boulder (I live in Denver too) and I wear my scar proudly.
I am not sure when my valve started to fail, but when I was 19 I was diagnosed with a heart murmor — a common every day thing for many. I paid little attention to the murmor. It was brought up casually during my annual check ups but nobody seemed to say much. Until one of those casual comments from a doctor caught my attention and I asked a simple question: “Is it possible that a murmor can get worse over time?” Upon receiving the answer of “yes” I asked to see a cardiologist. The rest is history. Lesson learned, had I not asked to see a cardiologist, my story might be very different.
I am the Survivor Committee Chair for the Denver Heart Walk in June and welcome any and all survivors to join our volunteer efforts or simply participate in the walk.
By: Susan on April 9, 2008
at 6:53 pm
Hi Dawn, I am happy you are doing these things for the Go Red for Heart disease.
I too, have had Open heart surgery when I was 4yrs, and again when I was 9 yrs. The newest surgery I had when I was 36yrs in 1999.
I have lost weight and excersise more than I had
because when I was young my mother and doctors never encouraged me to excercise. Only diet and do want I can. My heart disease congential but, I do have High Blood pressure and High cholestrol so I trying very hard to eat better and good.
Thanks for being a GREAT Role model.
By: Joan on July 11, 2008
at 11:32 pm