The story of the Michigan woman highlights the serious risks to heart health for women

TROY, Mich. – Friday in February is National Red Wear Day – an annual effort by the American Heart Association to raise awareness of heart risks.

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women. It is estimated that one in three women lives with some form of cardiovascular disease.

READ: #GoRedForWomen: National Wear Red Day raises heart health awareness

Kristy Sidlar, a resident of Troy, was young and athletic when she hit her first symptom.

“For many people who have the condition I have, their first sign or symptom is sudden death,” Sidlar said. “I was a very fit, very active young woman, who taught aerobics when I was 26 years old. I literally came out in front of my class. ”

She said people told her it was probably dehydration or low blood sugar.

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When it happened again, he went to a doctor, was given medication and was told to listen to his body when he came to exercise.

On his 31st birthday, he went on a bike ride as part of training for a future triathlon.

“I felt my heart rate go into this abnormal rhythm and it was annoying at first and then it got really bad,” Sidlar said. “To the point where I was sitting right on the side of the road. Nobody around. That’s what happened when I didn’t have a cell phone with me. ”

She said she lay on the ground for 45 minutes, penetrating and coming out of consciousness, until another cyclist found her and called 911.

The paramedics shocked his heart at a normal pace. He was beating his normal heart rate more than five times.

“I have arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy of the right ventricle, which basically means the right side of my heart – instead of looking like a healthy heart muscle – it basically looks like a sponge,” Sidlar said. The more this disease progresses, the bigger my heart becomes, which allows my heart not to beat effectively.

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Sidlar now has an implanted defibrillator. She is not able to exercise as she once did, but she has a zest for life, a love of travel and a sense of adventure.

“I’ve been in heart failure for probably about five years now,” Sidlar said. “Unfortunately, the disease I have is progressive. So I’ll finally be on the heart transplant list. ”

READ: Full coverage of the Moon of the Heart

Sidlar wants women of all ages to understand that heart disease is also their problem.

“It is my passion to be able to help women understand that this is not a disease of men. We have different symptoms, we have to take care of ourselves differently “, said Sidlar. “Know your family history and your number – these two things are essential.”

This includes blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index. She also encourages everyone to learn very old CPR

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READ: 2 steps to save a life – CPR for hands only

If you have symptoms of heart disease, ask for help.

“We really need to be lawyers for ourselves and our bodies to make sure that if we know something is wrong, we’re pushing for it,” Sidlar said.

While many women with heart problems suffer from chest pain or discomfort, there are many who do not.

Some other red flags are shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, back or jaw pain, dizziness or fainting, and unusual tiredness.

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, do not ignore them. Seek help.

READ: The Metro Detroit doctor encourages people to pay more attention to heart health

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The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement encourages people to take action throughout February, wearing red on February 5, donating the American Heart Association and using #WearRedDay, #HeartMonth and #GoRedForWomen on social media.

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