My Heart Attack: A Turning Point

16 May 2023 was meant to be a day of pure celebration for my son’s 18th birthday. Instead, it was overshadowed by emotional bullying from an extended family member who was fully aware of the significance of the day.

The situation became so dramatic that my family found me wandering around our property in distress. But despite the chaos, we enjoyed our special family dinner, choosing to focus on what truly mattered: celebrating my son for the incredible man he is.

The next two days felt ordinary enough. But on 19 May, my life changed in a way I could never have imagined. I had a heart attack. I was 55 years old. The irony is not lost on me that this was also my late father’s birthday, a man who himself had battled heart disease.

I got up that morning to make coffee as normal when I felt an overwhelming pain in my chest. I tried to lie down, but it only grew more intense and so I asked my husband to get me to the hospital. The 25-minute drive was excruciating as the pain peaked, only easing as we arrived.

At the hospital, blood tests were taken. Given the emotional breakdown I’d had days before, we all assumed it was a panic attack. I was given medication, sent home to rest, and told to return later for a follow-up blood test. I almost didn’t go back, but my husband insisted, and so I returned for the second round of tests. As the results were taking time, and I was again ready to go home, the ER doctor confirmed that I had, in fact, had a heart attack and I was admitted to the ICU immediately.

The next morning, I underwent an angiogram, and two stents were inserted. I felt exhausted but relieved, and was discharged later that afternoon. However, as soon as I got home, the excruciating pain returned. We rushed back to the hospital, where I was told I was having another, smaller attack. A second angiogram was scheduled for Sunday morning. On the way to the Cath Lab, I had yet another attack. The cardiologist discovered that some plaque had been left behind, causing the recurring pain.

In total, I spent seven days in the ER. Physically, I survived, but the truth is, the emotional and physical recovery took far longer. It was almost a year before I found anything resembling normal energy again. I had to stop work on many of my projects and spent days and days just lying on the bed. To date, I still need an afternoon rest on most days!

The diagnosis was genetically high cholesterol. This was a profound wake-up call, a reminder to get regular check-ups and to share genetic conditions openly with family. Already, two of my three children have the same condition, including my son, who is also a Type 1 diabetic.

Looking back now, I realise how important it is to listen to your body and never dismiss what feels wrong. Panic attacks and emotional breakdowns are very real, but so are heart attacks, and sometimes they can feel similar. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t delay. Get checked. Go back for that second test. Insist on answers.

Today, I share my story not to frighten, but to encourage. Life is fragile. Stress, grief, and heartache weigh heavily on our bodies, often more than we realise. But with support, medical care, and self-compassion, we can take steps to protect our hearts and live fully.

In some ways, I’m probably a healthier person now than I was before the heart attack, but some things will never be the same and it’s taken a long time to come to terms with that. I often struggle to make the right choices for my health but my family, and my gorgeous grand child, are a fabulous motivator, especially as I want to be a healthy old lady and live to 90!