Heart attack survivor creates sisterhood of women affected by heart issues
When Nancy Holland’s heart stopped it was a wake-up call.
"When I woke up and realized that I had had a cardiac arrest. It’s like you’re facing your mortality, she said. "You don’t think that that is something you’re going to be dealing with at age 45."
After suffering two heart attacks, Holland was diagnosed with a rare heart disease.
A recent report estimated that nearly half of all U.S. adults have some form of heart or blood vessel disease, a medical milestone that's mostly due to recent guidelines that expanded how many people have high blood pressure.
The American Heart Association said that more than 121 million adults had cardiovascular disease in 2016. Taking out those with only high blood pressure leaves 24 million, or 9 percent of adults, who have other forms of the disease, such as heart failure or clogged arteries.
Hearing what the doctors had to say left her scared and hopeless, wondering what she could to do. As she recovered, Nancy vowed to help others dealing with heart issues know they are not alone.
Now, she joins other heart attack survivors and delivers gifts on Heart Health Awareness Day to patients who have recently been affected by some form of heart disease or issues.
Holland goes door-to-door at hospitals offering solace and hope.
"It’s so empowering," Misty, a heart attack survivor, said. "It’s nice to feel like you’re not all alone."
The Associated Press has contributed to this article.