Tag: Heart healthy

Hi, my name is Dawn Angelique Roberts and I am a heart survivor!

I am a heart survivor!

One year ago today on December 27, 2019 – I went to Temple University Hospital for my third Stress Test. It was 2 days after Christmas and one day after my sister Darcell and my son, Wayne Jr. and I attended our first Kwanzaa Celebration at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

I’m happy to share that I celebrated my anniversary this morning with an epic trail run/hike at Lums Pond with my run buddies, Liz and Zakiya.

My story is unique in many ways and a testament to the importance of knowing your body, taking care of your body, knowing your family history, and most importantly – advocating for your health.

As an avid marathon runner, I know my body. When I began experiencing sharp chest pains while running, I knew something wasn’t right. In addition to the pain, I knew heart disease ran in my family history – having claimed the lives of loved ones.

For these reasons, I decided to get a cardiologist referral from my primary doctor. But little did I know, my journey to better health would require adamant advocating.

Because I took care of my body, I was told it didn’t “look like” anything was wrong. By that, they meant I should be fine because I checked all the boxes of eating healthy and exercising. The first cardiologist I visited literally told me “nothing is wrong with you” – even after I told him about my chest pains and family history.

Along my medical journey, I connected with other specialists who encouraged me to keep being relentless in seeking answers. After receiving a cardiologist recommendation from my business partner and sorority sister, Kendra Todd Dixon who also had to strongly advocate for her own heart health, I sought a third opinion.

This visit was worth every step of my long journey.

My cardiologist listened to my concerns and did everything she could to understand what was going on with my heart. Initially, tests were coming back inconclusive. Because she was determined to find answers, she told me to run on the treadmill – and that’s what led to the tests picking up the abnormalities.

It turned out that my chest pains were due to insufficient blood supply to the heart. I also had an abnormal stress test and left heart catheterization that showed that I had a 99% blockage in my LAD (or left anterior descending) artery. This is also known as a widow maker.

I had a stent placed to open this up and within 1 month, I was back to running and working out.

I am fortunate to be here today and am so grateful for my support system of family, friends, and medical staff.  

After my life saving procedure, my sorority sister, Jane Little encouraged me to share my story and I decided to become active with the American Heart Association as I continue to share my heart story.

Heart disease remains the #1 killer of women. If we don’t continue to fund this valuable mission, many people will not be as fortunate as I was.

By supporting organizations like the American Heart Association, you are helping fund research, education and advocacy efforts for those of us with heart conditions – and supporting preventative care, as well.

It’s critical that we get healthy and stay healthy. Had I not been my own best advocate, I might have had a heart attack – and I could have died.

By knowing our bodies and taking care of them, knowing our family history, and advocating for the health of ourselves and loved ones – we can join the AHA in creating a world of longer, healthier lives.