Carrie is a 45 year-old heart disease survivor from Vancouver, B.C. Twelve years ago, Carrie developed a lingering cough that interrupted her sleep.
“When I was first diagnosed with heart disease, I was really lost and trying to come to terms with what I was going through,” says Carrie. “I couldn't understand how it could happen to me. It just never occurred to me that I could have heart disease.”
After her diagnosis, Carrie started a number of medications and underwent an assessment for a heart transplant. Within several weeks of taking the medication, her condition improved considerably and she was removed from the transplant list.
Over the next two years Carrie’s health deteriorated drastically and eventually required a heart transplant in 2002.
Full recovery took nearly three years, but now Carrie has successfully returned to her employment and athletic pursuits. She is especially proud to have competed as a sprinter in the various Transplant Games, including two World Games (2005 and 2007) and one National Games (2006).
Carrie also does a great deal of volunteer work with the Canadian Transplant Society, the BC Transplant Society, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. She says women need to pay attention to diagnosing heart disease early and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“I became a spokesperson because I believe it is important to show people the face of heart disease, to show them the reality.”
I believe it is important to show people the face of heart disease
