Jessica ’ s mom describes the ordeal from her perspective : “ It was unreal . I was so shocked . We were treating her like it was heartburn , as she has a history of acid reflux . But the pain keep getting worse and then shortness of breath started . We went straight to the ER , where we were told she was having a heart attack . We were so scared and surprised - never even suspected such a thing could be happening to her at such a young age . It scares me now and I ’ m always watching for the signs .”
Too often , women are reluctant to seek help for a heart attack , because they don ’ t experience what we ’ ve come to regard as the traditional symptom – chest pain . McLeod Cardiologist Alan Blaker , MD explains the signs women should look for and some of the unique risk factors women have .
Dr . Blaker explains , “ Heart attack symptoms in women often differ from men in the type of pain and where it is located . In women , the pain can sometimes be in the shoulder or the back . The more common type of pain , especially with men , associated with heart disease or heart blockages is pain in the center of the chest . Women can also have pain in the center of the chest which radiate to the arm and the neck ; however , atypical pain , which is more common in women occurs just in the arm , just in the back , or really anything above the diaphragm . In some cases , women feel no discomfort and complain only of shortness of breath or excessive fatigue , especially in diabetics .
It is important for anyone having recurrent pain or unusual shortness of breath to seek medical attention without waiting too long . Anyone with pain that starts and won ’ t go away within 30 minutes ought to be seeking medical attention , certainly sooner if the pain is severe and new for them . If the pain is intermittent , particularly if it occurs with exertion , seek medical attention as soon as you can , to be evaluated .
Women also have unique risks factors which can lead to heart problems . Some of these risk factors may be related to hormones or even pregnancy . Research has also shown that heart attacks can occur with women who take birth control pills . In addition , if a woman smokes while using birth control ; her risk of having a heart attack is much , much higher , “ Dr . Blaker concludes .
According to Jessica , it was lots of love and support that got her through such a harrowing experience . She never thought a heart attack could happen at her age . But it did . Her doctors think her Turner ’ s syndrome may have added factors that lead to the heart attack . The Mayo Clinic defines Turner ’ s syndrome as a condition that affects only girls and women . It results from a chromosomal abnormality and can cause a variety of medical and developmental problems . Another risk factor for Jessica is that she has diabetes .
Jessica is living life a bit more carefully since her heart attack . She is more aware of keeping her sugar and high blood pressure under control . She is eating right and exercising and wants to share with other young women that heart attacks have no age limit . Always be aware of the signs of heart attack , even if you think you ’ re too young to worry about it . It ’ s not necessarily “ just ” indigestion or heartburn . Get medical help immediately if symptoms escalate to shortness of breath , cold sweat , nausea . Meanwhile , eat right . Exercise regularly . Know your numbers – blood pressure / cholesterol / BMI / fasting blood sugar .
In Jessica Rouse ’ s case , the story has a happy ending . They were able to get to the emergency room where medical professionals quickly determined what was happening and took decisive measures to save her life .
“ We thank God and the doctors that Jessie is in recovery now and doing well ” shared her mother .
We are grateful to Jessica for sharing her story . It is a sobering reminder to us all - that heart attacks do not require proof of age before dispensing harm .
mamasprings @ outlook . com
Jessica Rouse resides in Darlington , SC .
SHEMAGAZINE . COM FEBRUARY 2017 143