The American Heart Association means a lot to me because I have many family members who have heart issues. My great grandmother had atrial fibrillation and ended up having a massive stroke in 2011 at the age of 87 - she passed away 18 months later. A year after her stroke, my grandpa went to the ER and discovered he had major blockage and ended up undergoing triple bypass surgery. My grandma started having problems with her heart racing and she was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, like her mom -a year ago she underwent a cardiac ablation to help regulate her heart. She has also had a pacemaker implanted. This past year, my grandpa had to have a stint put in to alleviate more blockage to his heart. I have several other relatives on my mom’s side with various heart issues - as well as on my dad’s side - my dad and grandfather both have high blood pressure and my dad lost his grandfather and great grandfather at young ages to heart disease.
Heart health is very important to me for these reasons. This is why I decided to become an AHA Sweetheart - to learn about heart health, raise money, and spread awareness to others about healthy living!