**Heart Attack at 34: The Urgent Message from a Survivor**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/gigi-campos3-92426-0d4753d0ff394166b36c41a3973b2d35.jpg)
Gigi Campos, a 38-year-old woman from Miami, experienced a heart attack at the age of 34, a shocking event that transformed her perspective on health and wellness. Despite her youthful age, Campos was diagnosed with a hereditary condition that predisposed her to heart disease. Unfortunately, she felt invincible, believing she had time to manage her health before crisis struck.
On February 7, 2023, Gigi began her day like any other, taking a typical two-mile walk with her husband, Edwin. However, as they reached the halfway point, Campos felt an odd pressure in her chest. Describing the sensation as “like something was pushing back on me,” she brushed it aside, assuming it was due to an awkward sleeping position. Little did she know that this was a sign of the serious health issues lurking beneath the surface.
After finishing their walk and showering, Campos headed to her desk job as a supply chain manager, still hoping the strange pressure would dissipate. Yet, after a meeting at work, during which the discomfort persisted, Campos decided to seek medical assistance. She visited an urgent care centre, where an electrocardiogram revealed irregular heart rhythms. This alarming discovery led to her being transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
Upon arrival, healthcare professionals, sceptical of her symptoms due to her young age and apparent good health, questioned whether drug use or anxiety may be the cause of her condition. Campos repeatedly insisted that she had a strong family history of heart disease, a fact she had been aware of since childhood. “They asked me a lot about drug use,” she recalled. “I just kept telling them, ‘No, no, no.’”
Additional tests soon confirmed her worst fears: she was indeed experiencing a heart attack. During an emergency cardiac catheterisation procedure, Campos’ heart stopped not once, but twice. Medical staff successfully revived her, but they discovered a fully blocked artery and multiple other blockages in her heart, leading to the insertion of three stents.
Reflecting on her experience, Campos emphasised the importance of taking family medical histories seriously, particularly for younger individuals who may not see themselves at risk. Diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder that causes high cholesterol, she had known of her predisposition to heart disease from the age of five. Her family history included her grandfather suffering a stroke and both her mother and brother also diagnosed with the same condition.
Despite these alarming indicators, Campos chose to disregard her health until it was nearly too late. She had initially tried medication to manage her cholesterol levels, but the side effects led her family to shift their focus to diet and exercise. Unfortunately, these measures were not sufficient as she watched her cholesterol levels continue to climb.
By late 2022, although Campos had lost 40 pounds and adopted healthier behaviours, her cholesterol levels had alarmingly reached 399. Faced with this escalating health risk, she sought medical advice, leading to a prescription for a low-dose statin aimed at lowering her cholesterol. Tragically, just a few months later, the heart attack occurred.
Following her hospitalisation, Campos began an aggressive regimen to lower her cholesterol, resulting in a significant improvement within weeks. Today, her total cholesterol stands at a notably low 108, with her LDL cholesterol (often referred to as “bad” cholesterol) at 33.
Campos is eager to share her story, hoping to encourage others to take proactive steps in monitoring their heart health, especially those with a family history of heart disease. “I want to help others avoid experiencing what I went through,” she stated. The psychological impact of having a heart attack at a young age can be profound, as Campos knows all too well.
Preventative measures are crucial, and Campos underscores the importance of early screening and understanding hereditary conditions. She now diligently follows her medication regime, combines daily walking with strength training, and adheres to a heart-healthy diet, emphasising the necessity of balanced nutrition.
In her advocacy, Campos collaborates with organisations like the American Heart Association and co-leads a virtual support group for women through WomenHeart.org. Her goal is to inspire others, particularly young women, to prioritise their health. “If I can make someone think, ‘I’m not going to wait,’ then that would be worth everything,” she said.
Grateful for the life-saving interventions she received, Campos reflects on her journey with a new sense of purpose. “I’m so grateful to be here,” she stated, expressing appreciation for the second chance she has been given. Through her experience, she aims to empower others to take action before it’s too late, fostering a proactive approach to heart health and wellness.