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5/ TheBucknerClarion.com February 26, 2015 Show Your Heart Love Heart Disease Number One Killer for Women to people like me, it happens to old, unhealthy people." As doctors tried to understand and explain her condition, they asked Rachel if she was a smoker or drinker and if she had a family history of heart disease. Her answer to every question was a unanimous, "no." Post-diagnosis, Rachel's experience was still somewhat mysterious to her medical team. According to her doctors, SCAD is relatively new, rare and misdiagnosed, and the overwhelming majority of those who experience SCAD don't live through it. One thing Rachel's doctors were sure of was that her prior health regimen dramatically increased her chances of survival. "They told me that if I hadn't been exercising or if I had an underlying health condition such as high cholesterol that was causing blockages, I may not have lived," she said. Due to Rachel embracing a heart-healthy lifestyle, recovery after her diagnosis was easier. After enduring weeks of challenging cardiac rehab, her resolve to continue a regular exercise routine was strengthened. However, like many women working and raising a family, Rachel admitted she found maintaining balance difficult. "It's hard to work full time, spend quality time with my son, eat well at every meal and find the time to exercise," she said. "As women, we need to learn where to draw the line so we can take care of ourselves, too." Her own personal struggle to find balance is what inspired Rachel to blog about her experience. Having the opportunity to meet other survivors and join a national support group also helped with Rachel's healing process, especially after her doctors advised against another pregnancy. "That's always going to be the hardest part for me," she said. "But I've talked to other survivors and women who can't have children, and I've learned that there are other ways of completing your family. My husband and I actually talked about adoption years ago, and now it's not just a viable option for us – it's our only choice." Through blogging and volunteer work, Rachel hopes to share her experience with as many people possible because she remembers how scared and lonely she felt. "I know what it's like to sit in an ICU and wonder, 'What now?'" she said. "I've struggled with the same things as so many other women, like making time to cook healthy and exercise. But I plan on thriving for years to come and enjoying a healthy life with my family, and I want to share that hope During the month of February, Americans associate the human heart with love. However, love isn't the only matter of the heart that people are concerned with, as February is also American Heart Month, focusing on the dangers of heart disease. Heart disease is the number one killer of women and is more deadly than all forms of cancer, according to GoRedforWomen.org. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) warns that although heart disease is often thought of as a "man's disease," around the same number of women and men die each year of heart disease in the United States. Despite increases in awareness over the past decade, only 54 percent of women recognize that heart disease is their number one killer. While some women may have no symptoms, others may experience angina (dull, heavy to sharp chest pain or discomfort), pain in the neck, jaw, throat or pain in the upper abdomen or back. According to the CDC, pain may occur during rest, physical activity or be triggered by mental stress. Heart attack, arrhythmia, heart failure and stroke are major consequences of untreated heart disease. Saint Louis native and heart attack survivor, Rachel D'Souza-Siebert, shared her story about the importance of heart health with other women on GoRedforWomen.org. Rachel, a family-oriented wife and new mom, had a life like many other women. Her time was a delicate balancing act between family, work and finding time to maintain good health. However, Rachel was forced to learn the importance of this balance during a time that was supposed to be filled with joy – the birth of her first child. Shortly after her son's birth, Rachel wound up back in the hospital under serious circumstances. Rachel experienced extreme pain in her chest, under her shoulder blades and down the backs of her arms when she decided to go to her local emergency room for help. The excitement over her new baby boy was quickly replaced with fear and anxiety as doctors scrambled to diagnose the cause of Rachel's life-threatening symptoms. "My husband was signing consent forms, while I was wheeled into the cath lab and nurses and doctors seemed to be running everywhere," she said. Over four hours later, Rachel had a diagnosis: Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) followed by a heart attack. Rachel was only 28 years old at the time of her diagnosis. She remembered thinking, "This doesn't happen for the future with others." Read more stories like Rachel's or share your own at: www.goredforwomen.org/home/share-your- story/. By Morgan Nail 1 in 3 women will die from heart disease and stroke…But it can be prevented. Join the fight. GoRedForWomen.org.

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