As I exited the Cath Lab, I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I realized the procedure was over. An angiogram with adenosine-stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging isn’t the most comfortable procedure to endure; especially if you have to ‘use the bathroom’ twice during the procedure.
Wheeled on a gurney into recover, my two doctors, Drs. C. Noel Bairey Merz and Chrisandra Shufelt followed. Once I came to a stop, Dr. Bairey-Merz leaned in and said, “Well, the good news is we know what’s wrong with your heart”. That’s all I needed to hear. While the doctors continued to talk, I didn’t hear a word. Ten minutes into it I looked at Dr. Shufelt and asked her to promise me that she would find my husband and son in the waiting room and explain to them what I couldn’t comprehend.
This was the culmination of five years of seaching for a doctor who could find what was wrong with my heart. As a young woman experiencing chest pain, I was told time and again that ‘I was too young’ for heart disease or perhaps I needed to ‘lower the stress’ in my life. In actuality, all I needed was a doctor with the skill set and mind set to listen to me objectively.
That is exactly what I found in Dr. Bairey-Merz and her staff at the Cedars-Sinai Women’s Heart Center. These fine doctors have been leading the way in women’s cardiac research for several years now. Under their care, I am now participating in my third Research Study. Each study I’ve participated in has greatly bettered my situation.
As of December 2007, I have had the piece of mind in knowing the name of my condition; formely known as ‘Cardiac Syndrome X’, better known as Ischemic Heart Disease. I can honestly say that, had it not been for these fine doctors and the research they’ve done, I wouldn’t be telling you this story right now.
It is now my focus in life to get the word out about Ischemic Heart Disease and where women in a similar situation can get the care they so desperately need. There are a lot of us out there; they are waiting to be found.
Rebecca Fortunato
http://rebeccasheart.wordpress.com/
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Thank you so much for sharing your story, Rebecca. Heart disease is the number one killer in women and your story will certainly help others. Another lesson that can be learned from your story is the ability to keep searching for answers. It takes one physician that is not willing to give up that will find a solution.
Coming to our site to spread the word is a great place to start. I am certainly glad you found us. Best in health!
December 20, 2009 - 10:08amThis Comment
Thank you miscortes!
December 20, 2009 - 11:12amEmpowher is such an important part of so many women's lives; I'm proud to participate. So many women have been helped to find answers that cannot be found anywhere else. No doubt it will continue to do so.
Rebecca Fortunato
http://rebeccasheart.wordpress.com/
This Comment