Jeri Barajas
SVP of Commercial Banking, Heartland Bank
Do You Know the Symptoms for Heart Disease?
As a long time runner and what I would consider a “health nut”; I have always taken care of my body. I know my numbers and have always had low cholesterol and normal blood pressure. I have never been overweight, and have no history of heart disease in my family.
In January 2004, I was admitted to the emergency room with stage three congestive heart failure. I had been experiencing all the symptoms of heart disease, and didn’t even know it. I had gained 15 pounds in one week, my abdomen was swollen, I had a nagging neck pain, and I could not even walk more than half a block before having to rest. That day I received a pacemaker. However, the doctors were worried. I wasn’t making any progress and they talked to me about needing a heart transplant. They asked if I had a living will and if I wanted to meet with a priest.
After four weeks in intensive care, my condition stabilized, and my heart was getting better. I was released from the hospital. I was lucky.
Today, I run 3 miles a day and finally feel like myself again. But, I can’t help but think if I had only known that the symptoms of heart disease for men and women are very different, I wouldn’t have waited so long to get a second opinion, and my story would be very different.