Getting diagnosed ( woman)

[Mejue]

Hi, I have been through a lot with firstly getting a diagnosis of CHD. After quadruple bypass, numerous stents, heart attack, failure of bypass, I still find that medical professionals still don't seem to relate to my symptoms. Also how female friends and family members are unaware of the symptoms related to women's heart disease. This worries me as it's just to late when you are actually told as I was "you need open heart surgery asap " I'm thinking of starting a campaign for women's awareness of the symptoms, dose anyone have any experience or advice that would help ? Julie

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

You know, I often think the same thing. I was diagnosed with heart failure while I was pregnant and had no inkling there was anything wrong with my heart at all. As far as I was concerned, all the symptoms were normal side effects of pregnancy. (I was lucky a wonky heartbeat was picked up by fluke.) Now when I see pregnant ladies puffing and panting, I want to stop them and insist they get a doctor to check their heart. Now, as someone with a heart condition, I am aware of statistics and campaigns that show how common and dangerous heart disease is in the female population, but I don't think it is really on the general public's radar. We all know about cancer and how to lower our risk of that, but I don't think people (especially young people) think about heart disease at all. I don't know what would be the best way for you to raise awareness but well done for trying and I'd be happy to help if I can. Good luck!

[Mejue]

Hi Laura thanks for your reply, I myself didn't think my symptoms where heart related, nor my GP. Your correct woman need to be made more aware of heart symptoms of woman. I'm at an early stage just putting some feelers out to see what others think, and how wide the problem is, if I could help someone not to go through what I've been through and going through, would be great. If you would like to help that would be great. X

[Twobells in reply to Mejue]

I had HA on 31st March, I never even felt it, but I'm glad I didn't the worrying thing I did find out is women feel heart attacks very differently to men. The BHF have a current campaign on TV about breathlessness, but it's a catch all advert. Never like Laura and yourself did I for. One minute I had CHD and even now people are shocked as I was fit, healthy etc before all this. Although in hindsight I can now remember episodes of this symptom, but it was very quickly dismissed. As panic attacks. So I would be very interested to get involved. Statistics are not correct many men die from heart disease because they are less likely than a woman to seek earlier medical intervention, but as many women have heart disease.

[Mejue]

Hi yes this is why it's important to get the message out to women, if you have any ideas or interest in a campaign to make women aware please let me know. I have a fabulous cardiologist who I'm hoping will support us women. I had been seeing my GP for sometime with pain in my upper back, yet had no idea it was my heart, but now after all the treatments I've had and still undergoing two half years later I'm astounded at the lack of awareness. Thank you for you response, I'm sure there must be many women out there like us. X

[Twobells]

Contact British heart foundation by phone they will help get started

[Mejue]

Thanks I will x

[KazSumm]

Hi Mejue

Same here I had no idea I had anything wrong with my heart, showed no real symptoms that you would associate with your heart. Looking back I remember being out of breath after strenuous housework or walking up hills , feeling tried but I have under active thyroid and but it down to that . It was when I passed out in the car and for a short while I was gone, thank god my Mom was with me. The shock of being told you need open heart surgery ASAP and finding out I must of been born with a genetic problem I had chronic Aorta Stenosis , and enlarge Aortic. This happen in July and I had my op 15 weeks ago, I’m 57. What has surprised me is how many young people are affected and most are non smokers, into lots of sports and keep fit eat healthy . We just associate heart disease and illness with bad lifestyles and in most cases this is far from the truth. I think people in their 20,30,40s need to be made more aware that this can happen to them even if they lead healthy lives. The other thing is the side effect from heart surgery is depression there needs to be more understanding as to why this happens and explained more pre op it’s a shock and I have found it harder than the surgery , I’ve never really experienced depression before now, I start therapy this Thursday and been told it’s more Post traumatic stress . It would help close family if they could have someone to talk things over, as it’s just as much a shock and traumatic for them . Wishing the very best Kaz ❣️❤️💕

[Mejue in reply to KazSumm]

Hi Kaz, not just me then, I was 56 when I had my heart bypasses, I also had a healthy live style, never smoked, exercised. Everyone who knows me could not believe it. However I'm now 59 still not very good health awaiting more treatment. If only I had known about the possibility that it could have been my heart back then, I my well have not needed to go through all this, not only saving my and my family's distress, but the NHS and private money that I've spent to prove I wasn't imagining my back pain. So I want to make women aware.

If I can get a campaign going and stop this happening to other women that would be great. Your not alone, hope you feel better soon xx Mejue

[Twobells in reply to KazSumm]

There is an advert currently on TV which now asks are you breathless? This can be a symptom of cancer, lung disease and heart disease. but its not aimed at any particular group. If I had seen this before my HA I still wouldn't have clicked as I was in good shape physically did lots of exercise. ate healthily etc and like you shocked everyone I knew because I was deemed fit and healthy. so as well as aiming it at women, we should also be saying heart disease whatever the type is like a cancer-- It can affect anyone.

[Mejue]

Just had my 13th stent fitted feeling venerable now still uncomfortable has anyone else had this many?