What do these 5 women want to know from you?

The following stories are from women who have experienced heart disease and their journeys through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

In 2022, Anjelica gave birth to her third son. She expected she would experience some postpartum fatigue. But his symptoms were far from normal. While lying down she felt as if she was drowning and was having difficulty breathing.

“The first signs didn’t seem dramatic or obvious at all, which is part of what makes them so dangerous. I felt so out of breath doing simple things — climbing stairs, carrying groceries, even talking sometimes,” Anjelica told Healthline.

His health declined rapidly. By November, she was placed on the transplant list. A few days later, she received a donor heart, just six months after giving birth. Recovery was difficult, but Anjelica tried.

“Looking back now, the signs were there – I just didn’t recognize them for what they were. I normalized everything. TirednessThe breathlessness, the swelling, the way my body felt like it was fighting to hold on. I didn’t realize that women, especially postpartum women, could experience cardiovascular symptoms that don’t look like the textbook version,” she said.

Her journey inspired a new purpose: She enrolled in nursing school and wants to specialize in cardiovascular care. Today, she advocates for maternal heart health in her South Carolina community.

“Women need to know that heart symptoms are not the same for everyone. Shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, DizzinessNausea, swelling, pain in the back or jaw, and just an overwhelming feeling that something is not right are all that matter,” Anjelica said.

“Especially for women who are pregnant or postpartum, these symptoms should never be ignored as ‘normal.’ If your body is whispering — or screaming — you should listen,” she said.

Lori’s heart disease journey began with a diagnosis of terminal heart disease at age 17 high blood pressure.

She ignored medications and symptoms for years until Easter Sunday 2005, when she experienced intense chest pressure, pain radiating up both arms, instant nausea (feeling sick), and cold sweats.

The next day at work, her symptoms intensified, so Lori drove herself to the ER — smoking a cigarette on the way. During the evaluation, she was asked if she smoked. Lori joked that she had quit smoking “5 minutes ago”.

That moment marked the end of his smoking habit and the beginning of a new chapter. lori had a pain heart attack and there were six stunts In his heart.

The recovery was both physical and emotional.

In 2018, she faced another scare: she was 100% blocked widow maker artery, causing a second heart attack.

This time, she had to delay her treatment due to fear of losing her new job, but this experience was a wake-up call.

Today, Lori supports heart health and mental wellness, helping others with similar experiences turn pain into healing and connection.

“We know that men and women may differ Symptoms and signs. Most commonly in men: severe chest pain, severe pain in the left arm or both arms, cold sweats, Lowry told Healthline.

“Women may have different symptoms such as: fatigue, mild pain in the neck, back or jaw, shortness of breath, nausea, indigestionAnd overall, I am not feeling well,” she added.

Alex was a healthy and thriving ER nurse. One day, while having lunch with her husband, she suddenly began feeling dizzy, her speech became slurred and her face drooped.

Her husband, a police officer, recognized the symptoms stroke And took him to the emergency room. His colleagues identified him as a stroke patient.

“Within hours, I learned I had a clot in my right middle cerebral artery. Because we acted quickly, I was able to receive lifesaving treatment, which included tpa and a thrombectomy,” Alex told Healthline.

A few days later, he was discharged with no permanent sequelae.

“The speed of my husband’s actions and the immediate care provided by the emergency room staff at the hospital where I worked made the difference in my survival and prevention of long-term deficits,” she said.

Alex returned to work four weeks later. He was transformed. Her experience deepened her empathy and changed the way her colleagues view stroke symptoms – proof that it can happen to anyone, at any age. Although the cause was unclear, birth control may have played a role.

“I had no warning signs. I was young, active, and healthy. I exercised daily, ate well, maintained a healthy weight, did not smoke or use drugs, and drank alcohol occasionally. I had no underlying medical conditions,” Alex said.

“If anything, my experience challenges the dangerous notion that strokes only happen to older adults or people with obvious risk factors. I was 24 and doing everything “right,” and yet I had a stroke,” she said.

Now, Alex educates women signs of stroke And the importance of trusting your instincts—even when you’re used to taking care.

“Stroke doesn’t discriminate by age. I was 24 when I had a stroke. If something feels ‘abnormal’, listen to your body and take it seriously, no matter how young or healthy you think you are,” she said.

Alex said it’s important to remember fast:

• Face fall
• Arm weakness
• Sdifficulty speaking
• Teaime – call 911

However, he also said that FAST is not always reliable, especially in women.

“As an emergency room nurse in a designated stroke facility, I have seen firsthand how strokes can manifest in ways that are often overlooked,” she told Healthline.

“Women should also be aware of sudden dizziness, balance or coordination problems, vision changes such as blurred or double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Severe headaches, especially described as ‘the worst headache of my life’, may also be a sign,” she said.

Migdalia moved to Tampa, FL with her service dog, Milo, in early 2024, in preparation to travel the world.

Persistent cough, fatigue and rapid weight gain indicated that something was not right.

“I kept thinking it was Tensionor perhaps asthmaOr simply being out of shape. I dismissed every single sign because I looked healthy on the outside,” Migdalia told Healthline.

Despite a healthy lifestyle, her symptoms were dismissed as stress or tension Fever – even by a pulmonologist He saw.

At the urging of a friend, Migdalia sought help again. She insisted on showing the doctors her night-time recordings wheezing And I am coughing.

That recording may have saved his life.

Tests revealed that Migdalia had the disease. end stage heart failure. His heart was like that of an 85 year old man. He was immediately admitted to the hospital.

“I have had symptoms for years, maybe even decades. At the age of seventeen, I was hospitalized at Yale for heart problems. They diagnosed me dilated cardiomyopathyGave me medicine, and scheduled follow-ups,” she said.

“But follow-up never happened. I normalized the fatigue, dizziness, (and) chest pain because no one took it seriously, including me. By the time I collapsed in Tampa at age 39, my ejection fraction was at 10%. My heart had been failing for a long time. I just didn’t know it,” Migdalia continued.

In February 2025, Migdalia received heart transplant. revealed by genetic testing cardiomyopathy Linked to a specific gene, that prompted most of her family to seek testing and preventive care.

“Women need to know that the symptoms of a heart attack are not always chest-tightening pain. For women, it can be jaw pain, nausea, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, back pain, things we are taught to deal with,” she said.

“Women are more often dismissed than men when they report cardiovascular symptoms. So if something feels bad, if your body is screaming at you, don’t let anyone, including yourself, talk you into getting tested,” Migdalia said.

There are challenges in recovery, including the fear of rejection, but Migdalia remains resilient. She is now writing a memoir, rediscovering her creativity, and embracing a future shaped by advocacy, reflection, and hope.

“Trust your body. I spent my career as a mental health therapist teaching other people to advocate for themselves, and I couldn’t do it for myself. I waited for someone else to validate what I was feeling before taking it seriously. It almost killed me,” Migdalia said.

He added, “If I hadn’t recorded the sound of wheezing at night and played it to the doctor, he would have given me a flu shot and sent me home. You know your body better than anyone. If something doesn’t feel right, keep pushing until someone listens. And if they don’t listen, find someone who will.”

At 35, Shanelle was a healthy mother, avid walker, and former athlete. One evening, he experienced intense nausea, sweating, and chest pain. He dismissed the symptoms as stomach worms.

“I had gained a lot of weight in a short period of time, which is why I started walking and trying to be more active. But I didn’t stop asking why the weight was going on so fast. I was really focused on fixing it instead of understanding it,” Shannel told Healthline.

A week later, during a walk with my mother, the pain returned again. He told his mother, “I have to go to the hospital.”

In the ER, tests revealed he had had a heart attack.

“Women need to understand that symptoms may be subtle or feel unrelated to the heart. Sudden nausea, unexplained sweating, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and rapid or unexplained weight gain are all things we should not ignore,” said Shannel.

Shocked and overwhelmed, all she could think about was how busy she was. But she required emergency open-heart surgery to treat multiple blockages.

He underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The recovery was difficult, but his community rallied together to support him.

Now, nine years later, Chanelle has shared her journey to inspire women to listen to their bodies, advocate for care, and never ignore the signs.

“Please pay attention to your body. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s very real. Our body communicates with us long before we’re in crisis. We just have to slow down to hear it,” said Shanelle.

“Don’t normalize persistent tiredness. Don’t ignore vague symptoms. If something seems serious, call 911. It’s better to be wrong at the hospital than right at home,” he said.