My Heart Health Journey
Sharing my personal experiences with heart health challenges, cardiovascular wellness, and the steps I've taken to protect and improve my heart health. This is my story of awareness, action, and ongoing commitment.
Critical Notice: I'm not a doctor or medical professional. Heart health is serious and requires professional medical care. This is my personal experience only. Always consult with your cardiologist or healthcare provider for heart-related concerns.
My Story
My heart health journey began unexpectedly in my early 30s. I started experiencing rapid heartbeats and palpitations—symptoms that were both surprising and frightening, especially as a new mother. While I was initially treated for SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia), my symptoms persisted and gradually became more frequent over the years.
The episodes intensified with time. There were days when I could capture eight skipped beats in just 30 seconds on my watch. I experience lightheadedness, feel like I might faint, or sense the room spinning around me. While stress certainly triggers episodes, they can strike at any time—even during quiet moments like reading a book, my heart will suddenly start pounding out of my chest.
Despite numerous doctor visits and tests over the years, I still live without a definitive diagnosis. Every test comes back "normal," yet the symptoms persist. This uncertainty has been one of the most challenging aspects of my journey— knowing something isn't right but lacking clear answers or a treatment path.
A Life-Changing Moment
While navigating my own heart health challenges, our family faced an even more terrifying experience. My daughter suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at just 13 years old and had to be resuscitated. Like me, she has undergone extensive testing without receiving a clear diagnosis.
The only connection we've discovered is a genetic variant in the RYR2 gene— a variant of unknown significance. There are so few documented cases of this specific variant that medical professionals cannot definitively say whether it causes our heart issues, and currently, there's no treatment available for it.
Her survival is a testament to the critical importance of CPR training and AED availability. She was incredibly fortunate to be in a place where people knew what to do and had the equipment to save her life.
Tracy and Sydney
Learn More About Her Story
My daughter's story has been featured in several articles and videos highlighting the importance of CPR training and cardiac awareness:
💛 Why CPR Training Matters
Our family's experience is a powerful reminder that cardiac events can happen to anyone, at any age. Learning CPR and knowing where AEDs are located could mean the difference between life and death. I encourage everyone to get trained—you never know when you might save someone's life.
Changes I Made
💪 Exercise & Movement
I exercise regularly—five days per week—incorporating cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises. This wasn't easy to figure out given my physical limitations. I have a really bad back, shoulder, neck, and knees, which means I have to be extremely mindful about what exercises I choose. Through trial and error, I've found ways to get in good workouts that are both fun and pain-free. I focus on exercises that help me move better for flexibility while also getting my heart rate up in a safe way.
🥗 Diet & Nutrition
Diet has been an integral part of my heart health journey. I discovered that certain foods can trigger my rapid heartbeats. Processed foods, fast food, and sugary snacks are definitely on my avoid list. Switching to more whole foods, vegetables, and lean proteins has made a significant difference in how I feel and how often I experience episodes.
I also try to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day to avoid overwhelming my system. Rather than following specific diets or trends (some actually make me feel worse!), I focus on maintaining balance and eating what works for my body. No one wants to be "on a diet," so I think of it more as finding my personal eating rhythm.
💧 Hydration & Stimulants
I've learned to control my caffeine and stimulant (aka energy drink) intake carefully, as these can trigger heart palpitations. I switched to drinking mostly water in place of other beverages, which has helped me stay better hydrated and avoid unnecessary stimulants that could affect my heart rhythm.
😴 Sleep & Rest
Maintaining good sleep habits has become a priority. I aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night, as I've noticed that poor sleep can increase the frequency of my heart episodes and make symptoms worse.
Key Learnings
Lesson 1: List to your body
That sounds like a cliché, but it's true. I had to learn to pay attention to the subtle signs my body was giving me and not ignore them. If I feel an episode coming on, I try to sit down, take deep breaths, and avoid doing anything that might make it worse. It's about being in tune with your body and responding to what it needs.
Lesson 2: Eat for your heart
I had to experiment with my diet to figure out what worked for me. It wasn't about following a specific diet, but rather finding the foods that made me feel good and avoiding those that triggered symptoms. For me, that meant cutting back on processed foods and focusing on whole, nutrient-dense meals.
Lesson 3: Aim for balance, not perfection
I've learned that it's not about being perfect with my health choices, but rather finding a sustainable balance that works for me. I allow myself to enjoy treats in moderation and focus on making overall healthy choices without being too hard on myself.
My Progress
My heart issues are an ongoing problem for me. I'm still fighting to get balance with my electrolytes and hydration, and I still have episodes. However, I feel like I have a much better handle on things than I did before. I have a better idea of what triggers my symptoms and how to manage them when they happen. I keep taking my meds and working with my doctors to monitor my heart health.
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