Tracey Stuart wants people to remember one thing if they think they might be having symptoms of a heart attack.
“Seek medical attention. Don’t wait. Don’t assume it’s nothing,” she said.
She knows from experience. Two years ago, at age 40, she had just run a mile and was walking when she experienced a burning sensation.
“I had huge pressure on my chest area from my chin to my chest,” she said. “I wasn’t in a great deal of pain, but it was enough to catch my attention.”
Stuart went to an emergency room and was treated for a heart attack. She later found out that she had a sudden coronary artery dissection, which can be related to female hormone levels. She had 99.9 percent blockage in her left main artery.
“It’s prone to women,” she said. “The hormones associated with pregnancy can affect the lining of the artery, then it ruptures.”
Stuart believes research funded by the American Heart Association helped save her life.
“They were able to do enough research to determine what could happen to me,” she said. “They are making so many advances and affect so many people. It’s just astounding. You can have heart disease and have a very healthy life.”
Stuart is chairwoman of the American Heart Association’s Warren County Heart Walk, which begins at 9 a.m. today on The Medical Center’s front lawn. Activities will include a Kids Zone, health fair, refreshments for walkers and blood screenings. A VIP area for walkers who raised more than $150 will include a masseuse, breakfast and drawings for gift cards. Nearly 400 people are expected to participate.
“It raises money to continue the fight against heart disease and research, for research, education, awareness and advocacy,” said Michelle Alloway, division director of the American Heart Association Great Rivers Affiliate. “I think it’s going to be a great event. Every year we grow and raise more money.”
The event also helps raise awareness, Stuart said.
“If my story touches someone so that they go to the ER instead of waiting ...,” she said, pausing. “People need to be educated about their health and their hearts.”
Last year’s walk raised $69,500, Alloway said.
“Hopefully we’re saving lives,” she said. “Heart disease continues to claim more American lives each year. It needs to be something on our list of priorities to think about.”
Stuart continues to take charge of her health in an effort to prevent another heart attack. In addition to taking preventative medication, she tries to eat right and exercise.
“I went right back to running and haven’t had one problem,” she said. “I think it was a definite eye opener.”
