The Michigan woman’s story highlights serious health risks to women

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

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women. It is estimated that one in three women has 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 her first symptom hit.

“Many people who have the condition that 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 passed out in front of my class. “

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

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When it happened again, she went to a doctor, was given medication and told to listen to her body when it came to exercising.

At 31, she embarked on a bike ride as part of training for an upcoming 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 actually alone on the side of the road. No one around. This was when I didn’t have a cell phone with me. “

She said she was on the ground for 45 minutes, regaining consciousness, until another cyclist found her and called.

Paramedics jerked her heart back to normal rhythm. It beat at more than five times the normal heart rate.

“I have right ventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, which essentially means that the right side of my heart – instead of looking like a healthy heart muscle – actually looks like a sponge,” Sidlar said. “The more this disease progresses, the bigger my heart gets, preventing my heart from beating effectively.”

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Sidlar now has an implanted defibrillator. She can no longer exercise like she once did, but she has a zest for life, a love of travel and a sense of adventure.

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

READ: Full Heart Month coverage

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

“It is such a passion of mine to help women understand that this is not a man’s disease. We have different symptoms, we have to take care of ourselves differently, ”said Sidlar. “Know your family history and know your numbers – those two things are crucial.”

That includes your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index. She also encourages everyone to learn hands-old CPR

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

Seek help if you have symptoms of heart disease.

“We really need to be advocates for ourselves and for our bodies to make sure that when we know something is wrong, we insist on it,” Sidlar said.

While many women with heart problems experience chest pain or discomfort, there are also many who don’t.

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

If you have any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Seek help.

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

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The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement is encouraging people to take action in February by wearing red on February 5, donating to the American Heart Association and sharing the #WearRedDay, #HeartMonth and #GoRedForWomen on social media. use.

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