My health crisis journey began on a lovely summer morning on June 27, 2019. It is a day that I now call the beginning of my “new life.”
I was at a point in my life where I was happy and full of hope. My children were grown up and doing well. I was dating a wonderful man, who eventually became my husband, Niles, who has been my rock ever since we met.
On that fateful day, I woke up and found a YouTube Salsa for Beginners video. Niles invited me to go salsa dancing over the upcoming weekend.
I have a competitive nature and wasn’t going to be shown up by not at least knowing the basic steps.
After about a half hour of dancing, I jumped in the shower to get ready for work. When I stepped out of the shower, I felt a strange sensation. No pain, but what I can only describe as “imminent doom.”
Thankfully, my immediate thoughts were “get to a phone and call 911.” Then I tried to get down the stairs but could only manage to sit at the top. I began sweating profusely. Still no pain, but I felt my life force draining from my body.
I closed my eyes.
EMT arrived a few minutes later. I was lucky that there was an EMT that was trained especially for people experiencing a heart attack.
My pulse was dropping dramatically.
The EMT advised me that she would be placing paddles to my chest that would administer electrical shocks and that they would hurt. The shocks did indeed hurt. But oddly, there was a sense of relief because the pain meant I was alive.
I remember some of the ride to the hospital and thinking, “this is the longest ride of my life.” I kept my eyes closed. I don’t remember much after that. I drifted in and out of consciousness.
My first memory was seeing my future husband’s face looking down on me in his favorite red cap — red is his favorite color.
My husband later shared with me that he was very worried, but as a faithful man he prayed for me. He added that my cardiologist assured him that I was a fighter, but I was very lucky that I called 911 right away.
Later, I heard my children’s voices and their future husbands who flew in from Chicago. My oldest daughter didn’t understand why this was happening to me after all the hardships I’d experienced and sacrifices I made for my family and my youngest daughter felt like her foundation was crumbling underneath her feet. I am truly grateful to my sons-in-law for standing by my daughters at their moment of distress.
My son, the oldest, dropped everything to help me care for my 92-year-old father, while I recovered and continued to do so until my father’s death several years later.
I am thankful for my family and their support. I am so happy that I am still here to create new memories with them.
(Pat and her family at the Grand Canyon)
The healthcare professionals, from the ER staff to the Cardiac ICU team and my cardiologist, were exceptional. Their expertise, dedication, and compassionate care are the reasons I am able to share my story with you.
I was discharged on July 1, 2019 – five days before my 61st birthday.
During my first appointment with my cardiologist, he explained that I had a heart attack because several arteries were blocked.
Apparently, I was communicative because I was able to consent to medical intervention and said, “I am not ready to die.” I had an emergency coronary angiography, and three stents were placed in my arteries.
I am truly thankful to my cardiologist and his team for saving my life. But my cardiologist keeps reminding me that I saved my own life by not ignoring my symptoms and calling 911 immediately.
I participated in a 12-week cardiac rehab program. I initially met with a Cardiac Rehab Nurse who explained that women don’t always have the same symptoms as men, such as chest pain, numbness in the arms, weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
She added that because I had a heart attack, I was at greater risk of having another one.
She advised me to pay attention to any unusual symptoms above the waist such as heartburn, jaw or teeth pain, or pain in the shoulders or neck.
During rehab, I was educated about the importance of nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, and understanding other factors related to heart disease risk and prevention.
Strikingly, I observed that I was the youngest person in the rehab program and the only person of color. I asked myself, if Black and Latin people are at greater risk of heart disease, then why was I the only one there?
When I returned to work, I made it a point to tell my story to anyone who would listen and continue to do so whenever I can.
So, my message to everyone is to know your numbers – your blood pressure, your cholesterol and triglycerides, your waist size, your body mass index, your body fat index, and your blood sugar levels.
These numbers are critical indicators of heart disease risk and prevention.
And equally as important – find ways to reduce stress, aim for a healthy work/life balance, and do more of the things that make you happy.
And to the women here, listen to your bodies, don’t ignore them, and focus on self-care.
As I close my story, I leave you with this: Tell the ones you love that you love them every day, because life can change in an instant.
And — go Salsa dancing!
~Pat Johnson
Pat and her grandson
Pat, joined by her husband Niles, recently spoke at the 2025 Greater New Haven Go Red Reception, sharing her story to inspire others to listen to their body and go Salsa dancing!
