Don’t Let a Heart Attack Surprise You By Susan Smith GUEST EDITORIAL
well, the fatigue oh my–I was SO TIRED! I knew something was wrong, but I had too much to do to go get checked out. I just did what we women do best–brush it off and PUSH THROUGH IT! Here’s what I didn’t know. Those discomforts were symptoms of a heart attack in women! Why didn’t I know this? Because, like most people, a heart attack was what I’d seen in the movies of a man. You know the kind—sweating forehead, pain radiating down the arm, clutching his chest, and falling to the floor, the Hollywood heart attack. I had excuses for all my symptoms, like my pillow was too flat, which made me feel so tired. I was light-headed because I stood up too fast, and short of breath because I was talking too fast. Oh, and that collarbone thing? I was sure a neck massage would resolve it. One Friday morning in 2018, I had a long to-do list for my writing class. While showering, I struggled for breath and had to lie down to recover. Blow-drying my hair caused the same issue, which only increased my frustration. I pushed through to the grocery store to buy supplies. In the cookie aisle, I reached for a package, but it fell. Leaning down to pick it up, I felt I might faint. Fearful, I left the cookies behind, rushed to checkout, and drove home. I decided to call my doctor because my collarbone pinch had become a constant pain. The receptionist said, “Sorry, he’s out of town.”
Do you know what the number one killer of women (and men) is? It’s heart disease, not cancer. And yet most of us know very little about the signs and symptoms of this deadly disease. As an advocate for women’s heart health, I learned the hard way. I had a heart attack on a day I was too busy to be bothered with a few annoying symptoms. I was living my best life after retiring from my corporate job. With the freedom from the nine-to-five grind, I filled my days with all the things I couldn’t do while working. I started a jewelry business & taught memoir writing, attended several networking and social groups, and took classes and workshops. I could now participate in the weekly bible study groups at my church. The list was endless, and I was having fun. It was a busy lifestyle running around seeing people, taking care of everything, and everybody. Each day was planned to the max with no room for interruptions. I found I liked my busy lifestyle. That “busyness” filled me with energy. I could feel the excitement of a challenge. That energy, that excitement, gave me confidence, got me going, and kept me working on all those projects. Some call this excitement a level of stress, but a GOOD stress. But something wasn’t right. I felt a pinching in my collarbone, sometimes light-headed, and short of breath. And
Author, Susan Smith.
“Is someone covering for him? Who can I see?” I’m exasperated now. She said, “It sounds like you should call your cardiologist, or go to the nearest emergency room.” “I can’t go to the ER,” I wailed, I have too much to do!” Her reply haunted me for months. “You can’t do anything if you’re dead.” Thankfully, I had a cardiologist to call. They found my file (10 years since my last visit) and worked me in. They hooked me up to an EKG machine and the cardiologist entered the room, stared at the machine and said, “Susan, you’re having a heart attack right now. You have to go the emergency room now!” At Tucson Medical Center, I was rushed inside and placed on a gurney. Within minutes, I was in the Cardiac Cath lab getting a stent in my heart.
Page 4 | January & February 2026, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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