October 19, 2014, started out just like any other day for me. I headed to the gym as I did every Sunday at 8am. While working out, all seemed well until I started to feel dizziness, blurry vision, nausea, rapid heartbeat and was sweating profusely. Thankfully, a gym employee noticed I was in distress and called 911. Unaware of any previous heart condition, I was immediately brought to the hospital and diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy.
After 11 days in the hospital, I was so happy to return home and start the next chapter of my life. Since then, I have made it my mission to create awareness. I began to research and familiarize myself with my family’s medical history and quickly learned that Heart Disease runs in my family. I started to volunteer with the American Heart Association so that I can connect with those who may be going through a similar situation. Almost 5 years later and just a few weeks shy of my 49th birthday, I am in the best shape of my life, training 5-6 days a week, and participating in several charity runs throughout the year.
Walking has always been a great form of exercise for me and one of the simplest ways to stay active. With each step you take, you travel further down the path to a healthier lifestyle. Research has shown that walking can have a significant impact on your health by lowering your chances of heart disease. I will be sharing my story at the 2019 Bergen Passaic Heart Walk on Sunday, October 6th and leading us all in a walk to fight heart disease and stroke, right here in our community.
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The American Heart Association’s blog is not intended to provide medical advice or treatment. Only your healthcare provider can provide that. The American Heart Association recommends that you consult your healthcare provider regarding your personal health matters. If you think you are having a heart attack, stroke or another emergency, please call 911 immediately.