At the age of 26, young, fit, and slim, I didn’t think twice about the suggestion by my doctor to take a random cholesterol test. Needless to say, both my physician and I were quite alarmed when my level came back at 280. The normal range is below 150. I had a good diet and was considered to be at an “ideal” weight for my height. But, it turns out I am genetically predisposed to high cholesterol.

My maternal grandfather died of heart disease and my mother is currently on medication to lower her cholesterol level. I had to eliminate saturated fats from my diet and exercise more to try to lower my level. I don’t want to be on medication this young, but I also don’t want to contract heart disease when I’m 30 (which, according to my doctor, is possible). I’m just grateful I had it checked.


Up until about eight years ago, I hadn’t had much experience with heart disease. But that changed. I was in the best shape I had been in since having my second son two-and-a-half years earlier. I was working 40-plus hours a week, taking care of my family, and playing soccer and softball. I had never had any type of physical problems and considered myself to be in excellent health.

I woke up in the middle of the night with a feeling of discomfort in my jaw, chest pains, and cold sweats. I woke my husband and he rushed me to the hospital. At the hospital they immediately went to work trying to find out what was wrong with me. I had never smoked, drank, or taken drugs. My age and low body fat was confusing as to what the problem was. They finally took a chest X-ray and placed me on an ECG, a heart monitor. They contacted the cardiologist on call with the results.

The doctor performed a coronary angiogram, which helps detect plaque build-up in the arteries. They discovered a spontaneous dissection of my left main coronary artery, and decided the safest course of action was by-pass surgery. So at the age of 28, I received a triple bypass. After a week in the cardiac intensive care unit and another five days in the hospital, I was allowed to return home. I needed to try to begin my life again.



I had made a decision before I left the hospital not to let what happened control my life, but I found that was easier said than done. It took time to get over being overly cautious about everything, especially when it came to my children. Slowly I began to return to the activities of my previous life, including returning to work full-time and playing soccer.

After extensive testing there was never any explanation of why my coronary artery dissected. Three-and-a-half years later, I came to a point in my life where I had moved beyond questioning what had happened, and was back living life to the fullest.