3 Year Celebration, another year has come and gone

Wow, it’s hard to believe three years have passed since my heart attack. That’s three years of laughs, hugs, new friendships and celebrating life! Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would still be telling my story. Hey, my names Melissa and I had a heart attack!! But talking with people and sharing my crazy heart attack ride has opened my eyes to the need to help others. The thing about having a heart attack is there’s no outward sign telling people about your journey. Many times we recover in private and act like it didn’t happen. We may be too embarrassed and think that we did something to cause it. I didn’t exercise enough! Was my diet crappy? Maybe, I’m too stressed out? We are often too quick to move on and get back to the hustle and bustle of life. This needs to stop, and we need to TALK!!!

Just within the past two weeks, I have met two women both in their 40’s who’ve had a heart attack. It's funny how we all look at each other like you have to be kidding... Right? Had I not so publicly shared my story and went on as nothing happened I would have never had the opportunity to help others. Many times I’ll ask Joe do you think people are getting sick of me yet?? And of course, being the amazing husband, he always says no. I have to thank Joe for being the one to inspire me to continue writing this blog. This has led me to meet so many amazing people at the American Heart Association who also have the same purpose, to end the #1 killer!

I celebrated my three-year heartiversary this past weekend. To be honest, it dredged up some not so fun memories of the night I had my heart attack. You start to remember the feelings of, is this happening? I am way too young? Why me? Nuts, could this happen again, what if the stents have started to block? But then you look around and see your beautiful family and remember that you are here for a reason so don’t let it go to waste.

With February being heart month I’m trying to increase education around heart attack symptoms, hands-only CPR and furthering the cause of the American Heart Association. So like it or not your gonna be hearing a lot from me!

Below, are a few of the fun photos from the events that I have been able to attend and get the word out about not being a heart attack victim but a HEART WARRIOR!

DSM Heart Ball 2019

Ken, Colleen and Kurt’s Valentine’s Day Radiothon

Wear Red Day 2-1-19

In closing, thank you for taking the time to read my blog and facebook posts. I hope you never have to share your story with me! So let’s work together to get the word out about heart disease and put an end to a devastating problem!!

American Heart Walk 2018

After a very long and never-ending winter, Spring has finally sprung!  Not to mention, not a moment too soon for the AHA 2018 Heart Walk. I was truly blessed by all the support from friends and family in the form of donations to #LifeTicksOn and T-shirt sales. 

It's hard to believe that this is my third heart walk since my heart attack, YIKES!  I look forward every year to wearing the RED Survivor hat and walking with all the survivors. This is just one more step, literally in the journey of recovery. The community of "survivors" range in age from infants to the elderly. I love the fact that you can do as little or as much of the walk. No pressure to hurry or have people running by you. That is not what this walk is about. It's about every step reminding you of how far you've come and the wonderful things that await. 

Speaking of reminders,  did you know patients admitted to hospitals lived an average 6.44 years after  their heart attack? That sounds like progress to me. The funds raised by the American Heart Association through the heart walk and other fundraising events help to increase the chance of survival. #LifeTicksOn

#LifeTicksOn 2018 members from near and far. We had representation from all over the US with our T-shirt sales!!

As I looked around at my #LifeTicksOn group, I am truly amazed at how every one of us has been touched in some way from a cardiac issue or stroke. My mom Liz has Atrial Fibrillation, has had multiple surgeries and now sports a sexy pacemaker. My Aunt Trisha has had open heart surgery for a valve, suffered a stroke and heart attack and has come out swinging! Wow, not many people can say that. I just love her attitude about life!! Not to mention all the other family members that have had to deal with the ups and downs of our crazy recovery journeys. I can't say enough "Thank Yous" to my husband Joe, Parker and Brenna for always being there to support me. I would like to say a special Thank You to Krystal for all the money you helped raise to bring our team to over $1000. 

My hope is that next year you can join us at the heart walk and also in raising money for this great cause!

In the meantime, Stay Heart Healthy!!

SCAD not SCAB

Time to take a road trip to Kansas City to learn about SCAD!

While most people head to Kansas City, MO for barbecue my trip took on a different mission. I loaded up the car with my daughter Brenna as my co-pilot and set the GPS for St. Luke's Hospital. Our mission: To learn as much about SCAD, Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection.

My daughter happened to be studying hearts in science and wanted to go along to see what caused my heart attack. I was a little hesitant at first because she's only 12. What if she hears words such as morbidity or mortality? Will it freak her out? Will she have more questions than when we set out? In the end, it ended up being a fantastic experience for both of us.  Not many 12-year-olds get to hear a public forum on SCAD conducted by two amazing Cardiologists.

The SCAD talk conducted by Dr. Jason Lindsey and Dr. Tracey Stevens at Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center in Kansas City, MO. The 90-minute discussion flew by! I ended up with pages and pages of notes and still wanted to hear more. At one point I looked over at Brenna, and she was taking notes. I was in shock. Here a 12 year old was taking notes on a subject where there's no test!   Although there are more questions than answers known about SCAD, it's so intriguing to see what might be the cause. 

While I was at the talk, the American Heart Association put out a scientific statement on SCAD. This inspiring news and the massive step in the right direction. Many times when I tell people my story and tell them my heart attack cause was SCAD and not plaque they are confused. My goal is to educate everyone and let them know that it can happen to anyone.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the SCAD town hall: (These are from my notes taken from Dr. Lindsey and Dr. Stevens town hall

1. SCAD accounts for less than 0.5% of heart attacks, but it accounts for 25% of heart attacks for people under 50 years old.

2. 9:1 ratio women to men. Still not understood as to why

3. The person is healthy without risk factors

4. There can be a hormonal relationship, most common cause of pregnancy heart attacks.  Non-Pregnancy related SCAD is much more common. 

5. Genetic link??

5. Medical management, no approved drugs for SCAD. 

6. SCAD Symptoms: 45% Chest Pain, 24% Palpitations, 21% Shortness of Breath

7. Ask to have your doctor rule out Fibromuscular Dysplasia ( seen in around 60% of patients)

8. 57% postmenopausal,  rare in 65y/o and higher, 10% malignant arrhythmias, 5% Connective Tissue disorder, 12% Systemic Inflammatory disease

9. Exercise: STAY ACTIVE POST SCAD

10. Prognosis: Recurrent SCAD around 10%

11. 10-year mortality 1.1%

12.  Most dissections will heal in 1 month. Not placing a stent is a better treatment plan.  Avoid hormone replacement, Usual medicines Asprin and Beta Blockers. Cardiac rehab has been shown to decrease rates of recurrent SCAD.

Future Direction: Genetic Predisposition? Determine how to prevent the 1st event and recurrent events.  Ask for a CT coronary angiogram for follow up if needed and not a PCI.

THE NEED to have a prospective registry.

If you are a SCAD Survivor,  join the SCAD ALLIANCE at www.scadalliance.org #SCADheart

As Brenna and I drove home we discussed what we had learned. I was shocked at how she retained the information from the night before. We both agreed that more research needs to be done, still too many unanswered questions. 

In the end, it's up to us to get out there and not only educate ourselves but others! I'm just one SCAD survivor trying to make a difference!

Survivor turns advocate

How crazy to think I will be coming up on my two-year heart attack anniversary. The days of worry and wondering 'will it be today?' are becoming less frequent. I no longer ponder going to bed at night and worrying that I might not wake up.

It may sound cheesy, but I'm a new me. No longer letting my heart attack define me but guide me to a place of advocacy. A place where I can let my "crazy experience" help others and brings funds and awareness to a great cause. I've referenced this number before, but 1 in 3 women will die from heart disease or stroke compared to 1 in 30 who will die from breast cancer. This statics are unacceptable and need to be changed!

(Photo courtesy of American Heart Association)

So I have this little thing called a family. Family, we all know causes us to be an Uber driver, Chef, maid, mom, wife, and master of none. So why would I take on these extra responsibilities?  I believe in giving back. And I can't think of a better organization that supports people and families that have been impacted by heart disease and stroke. Many times we all wonder how there can be enough hours in the day to do what's required of us none the less add more.  I've decided to become chair of the Go Red for Women Silent Auction Committee and be a member of the Circle of Red. These new areas will allow me to give back to an amazing organization the American Heart Association.

The support the American Heart Association has given me at not only a national but local level has been extraordinary. The AHA has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people along the way. The two areas where I will be volunteering are the Go Red for Women Silent Auction Committee Chair and Circle of Red. Go Red for Women is a part of the American Heart Association that "encourages awareness of the issue of women and heart disease, and also action to save more lives The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power women have to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their risk. It also gives them the tools they need to lead a heart-healthy life."

The Circle of Red Circle of Red is a society of women who have the passion, the motivation and inspiration to drive and influence change in the community regarding heart health of women in their community and across the country. Circle of Red Women help support the mission of Go Red For Women® by making a personal financial commitment to the movement.

Shortly, I'm looking forward to working with other staff and volunteers to raise the awareness of heart disease and stroke. And I plan on this being my mission for many years to come.  Don't feel like you have to wait to get involved until you are personally affected.. start today! If you are interested in getting involved or learning more, please visit the American Heart Associations website or call your local chapter. #LIFEISWHY #FAMILYISWHY #CARINGISWHY #CUREISWHY

And don't forget to wear RED on February 2nd, 2018!!