SALT LAKE CITY — At 21, Chloe Harmer has spent much of her life keeping a close eye on her heart.
Just six weeks after his birth, Harmer underwent his first open heart surgery to repair holes in his heart.
Nearly two decades later, another heart problem began to take its toll.
“I was tired from doing easier activities and sometimes had a stabbing feeling in my chest or some pain,” Harmer said.
At age 19, she underwent her second open heart surgery to address an obstruction affecting her heart’s blood flow and repair her aortic valve.
Today, Harmer is studying nursing at BYU and getting back to doing what she loves: running, hiking and skiing.
“It really can affect anyone,” she said.
Women should focus on their heart health at any age
Even though Harmer was born with heart disease, doctors say women’s cardiovascular health deserves more attention at any age.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women in the United States.
“It’s important for women to pay attention to their heart and vascular health because no one else does,” said Dr. John Doty, a cardiac surgeon at Intermountain Health.
Doty said the medical profession has always focused more on heart disease in men.
Although many risk factors are the same for men and women, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and family history, the warning signs can sometimes be different.
“Women may present a little differently. The pain may be in the arm or neck, or in the stomach,” he said.
Other warning signs may include chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or a noticeable decrease in exercise tolerance.
Doty encouraged women to pay attention to changes in their health, stay physically active and speak with their doctor about any concerning symptoms.
“It’s just the perfect time where we finally focus on women’s heart health,” he said.
Quilting for a cause
A group of local women is doing their part to raise awareness about women’s heart health – one stitch at a time.
For months, they have been using their time and talents to create handmade quilts to support the cause.
It’s fun to visit the ladies and just do something good for the community.
–Julie Machliet, member of the quilting group
More than 80 quilts will be auctioned off at the upcoming Holiday Quilt Show, with proceeds benefiting Intermountain Health’s Women’s Heart and Vascular Program.
“Many of us have family members who have been impacted, or we ourselves have been impacted by women’s heart health,” said Judy Reese, president of the Holiday Quilt Show and Auction.
For Harmer, who knows firsthand the importance of heart health, the message is simple.
“Don’t take your health for granted and take care of your heart,” she said.
The Holiday Quilt Show runs November 10-12 at the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point, with dinner and auction taking place on the final evening.
Gn Health
