Two years ago, Ratona Harr, a 46-year-old fitness instructor, was teaching her usual Saturday morning class when a devastating heart attack struck her. While teaching, Harr felt an explosion in her chest, followed by numbness in her left arm, and soon after, she was rushed to the hospital. After receiving two stents, Harr learned that she had suffered a ‘widow maker’ heart attack, a type of heart attack caused by a significant blockage in the main artery.
Though Harr had no obvious risk factors for a heart attack, she had a mild COVID-19 infection prior to the heart attack, as well as the stress of having to temporarily close her fitness business in 2020, which may have contributed to her risk. In the days leading up to the heart attack, Harr had experienced some puzzling symptoms, such as pressure and discomfort in her chest and disruption in her body, which she chose to ignore.
Harr’s heart attack left her with congestive heart failure and she had to wear a LifeVest, a wearable defibrillator, for several months. She also underwent cardiac therapy and a cardiac ablation procedure to manage her tachycardia, and found that the mental component of recovery was just as challenging as physical.
Harr has since returned to teaching classes at her own fitness studio, but now makes a point to put her health first and takes off the entire month of May for a “heart-saving sabbatical”. She has also learned to recognize that things could have gone differently had it not been for the community and clients that her studio created.
Though Harr’s situation is unique, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of taking care of your heart and listening to your body. We should all take the time to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack, and be aware of the risk factors, such as stress and underlying health conditions, that can increase the chances of having a heart attack. We should also be mindful of any changes in our bodies and be willing to take the necessary steps to keep our hearts healthy.
