Personal Stories 

The following personal stories by Leonie Fryar, Trisha Langridge, Janet Newton, Jo Court and Abby Bloom aim to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy heart and lowering the risk of heart disease in women.

Leonie Fryar

Leonie Fryar does not fit the description of your 'typical' heart patient. When Leonie had her heart attack three years ago, she was young, well within her healthy weight range, very fit ... and, of course, female.

But she was a heavy smoker, and regular binge drinker.

'I was actually misdiagnosed at the time because not even the doctors thought my pain was heart-related,' she explains. 'I was told it might be reflux or a virus.'

Leonie, a 43-year-old lives with her husband, Gary. She vividly remembers the night the pain started.

'It was on a Sunday night, after another weekend of heavy drinking and smoking,' she says. 'Gary took me to a 24-hour medical clinic and I was diagnosed with reflux. Because I was a size eight, slim and fit girl, no-one considered I had a heart condition.'

During the next few days the pain escalated, so her GP ordered an ECG. When he saw the result, he sent her straight to a cardiologist.

'Two of the main arteries were blocked - one by 90 per cent, one by 99 per cent,' she explains. 'So he put me straight into hospital and operated the same day. I had an angioplasty, a balloon threaded through the artery to push against the artery wall to open and clear blockages, and a stent is inserted into each to keep them open.'

Leonie survived her heart attack but has accepted there's a high risk she'll have another, as severe damage has already been done.

'Unfortunately, I also naturally have very high cholesterol levels,' she says. 'So I'm on medication for that, I'm exercising moderately and still eating well. But I haven't had a cigarette since. And if I wasn't doing all those positive things by now, I don't think I'd be here. It's ironic, but it was actually the best thing that happened to me,' she says. 'It's made me take stock of what's important ... and that's not working around the clock, trying to get ahead.'

Trisha Langridge

Trisha Langridge was a healthy 46-year-old school teacher who didn't smoke, had normal cholesterol levels and who kept herself physically active, when she unexpectedly suffered a heart attack while playing a game of netball with her students.

Since her heart attack, Trisha now loses her stamina more easily and has had to make significant lifestyle changes. She works less and is extremely mindful of what she eats. She urges women of all ages to be aware of the risks of heart disease and to take care of their hearts.

'The perception is that this only happens to older people - even I thought heart attacks didn't happen to women in their 40s.'

Trisha's story is an example of how knowing the warning signs of heart attack and the importance of acting quickly can save a life.

'As I came off the court for about 10 seconds I had a crushing pain in my chest and then a shocking pain in my back. When I got to the staff room it was so bad my teacher's assistant called my physio. In the meantime I was dizzy, clammy and apparently very pale. Fortunately, one of the girls had experience with heart attacks as her husband had had one, so an ambulance was called.'

Janet Newton

Janet Newton sadly lost her mother to a heart attack on Valentine's Day in 1982 when she was 12. Her mother was only 50 when she died.

'Mum's heart attack was totally unexpected at the time. She had high blood pressure, smoked and was a little overweight but was in general good health and had no previous warnings of a heart problem.'

Janet, who now works as a Clinical Nurse Consultant for Heart Failure at Sydney's St George Hospital, says that the experience has really motivated her to take charge of her heart health to avoid facing a similar fate to her Mum.

'Mum's death has definitely made me more aware of my potential susceptibility to heart disease risk factors. I eat healthy food, don't smoke and make time to be active every day. I also keep an eye on my blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol and make sure that I get them checked annually.'

Janet advocates that Australian women should follow her lead and adopt a similar regime to reduce their risk of heart disease.

Jo Court

Jo Court experienced a heart attack at just 45. Mrs Court urges women to be vigilant about their heart health.

'Until I personally experienced a heart attack last year at age 45, I was unaware that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.'

'Thank you for lending your support to this very worthy cause. By supporting the Heart Foundation's Go Red for Women campaign you will be actively raising awareness of heart disease and helping to save the lives of women across Australia.'

'I have been fortunate enough to survive a heart attack and I urge all women to care for their hearts and to be aware that heart disease is a very real risk.

'A message from my heart - take the time to care for your health. To be alive and well for the longer term is an important investment for yourself and your loved ones' happiness and future.'

Abby Bloom

Successful businesswoman Abby Bloom had a heart attack at the age of 49 in the strangest of circumstances – while driving through the Sydney Harbour Tunnel with her teenage daughter.

Active and healthy with only slightly elevated but normal cholesterol levels –Abby wasn’t your typical candidate for a heart attack. She also has no known family history of heart disease and no other risk factors.

 “It was unlike anything I have ever experienced – I felt a sudden tightening feeling in my chest, swelling in the throat and within minutes my arms felt useless.”

Thankfully, Abby was alarmed enough to stop driving and pull over to a breakdown bay in the Tunnel. Even after the warning signs took hold, she still had no comprehension that she was experiencing a heart attack.

Abby’s 17-year-old daughter took over driving and took Abby to St Vincent's Hospital. Luckily, she was treated within the ‘golden hour’ (after the onset of symptoms when many people die from heart attack) and had an angioplasty and stent inserted.

After her experience, Abby could not even walk 50 metres. However, with dedication and supervised cardiac rehabilitation and exercise she was soon jogging 45 minutes a day. Since that time, she has also started three new biotech companies and participated in the purchase of an occupational rehabilitation company.

Looking back on her experience, Abby says that she was extremely luckily and cherishes each day and each moment.

“I am aware that time may be very limited and that has me working very long hours to accomplish all that I want to, professionally and personally, as soon as possible. It’s a different way to ‘smell the roses’".

She has also made a commitment to eat sensibly, exercise regularly and tries to avoid getting stressed – a difficult feat for a successful businesswoman.