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Age: 57
Sex: Female
Race: Caucasian
Occupation: Administrative Assistant
History
- Participated in competitive sports regularly
- Coached competitive youth soccer teams
- Runner
- Family history of heart disease
Turning Point
In 2001 Carolyn had to move back to Florida to take on the responsibilities of caring for her parents who were both dealing with the affects of heart disease. Carolyn’s mother had a heart attack, followed by heart shocks, then another heart attack. These severe episodes led to the need for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in her heart. Carolyn dealt with similar issues concerning her father. He had two heart attacks, also causing him to need an ICD. These events all took place within four years and still continue today.
Carolyn and her brother have also discovered that they both have a heart birth defect. They both experience weak tissues and murmurs with their main aortic heart valve. In 2005 Carolyn’s brother had his main valve replaced with Carolyn at his side, again experiencing the affects of heart disease.
Today
Carolyn has mad life style changes to help prevent the serious affects of heart disease. Her firsthand knowledge of the challenges heart disease can cause is her motivation to be constantly aware of her risk factors and live a heart healthy life. |
