**Attorney’s Heart Attack Highlights Importance of Health Advocacy**
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Priti Langer, a 49-year-old attorney and mother of three, experienced a shocking health crisis that unfolded just hours after a celebratory concert outing. While enjoying a night out in Baltimore with friends to see Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks, Langer woke in the early hours feeling an intense pressure across her chest, which would later reveal itself to be a heart attack.
Initially, Langer dismissed the discomfort as potential indigestion, but when the pain persisted, she sought help from her friends. “I tried to get comfortable, wondering if it was indigestion, but the pain wouldn’t go away,” she recounted. Concerned, she roused two of her friends to express her unease and request assistance. “A friend gave me an antacid to take, but it made me vomit immediately. That’s when I knew something was seriously wrong,” Langer stated.
With her condition worsening, Langer insisted on being taken to the hospital, leading her friends to creatively use a hotel desk chair as a makeshift wheelchair. When paramedics arrived, Langer faced a frustrating delay as they initially suspected that her symptoms were indicative of a panic attack rather than a heart condition. Despite their assumptions, she continued to advocate for herself. “I kept insisting that I needed medical help due to the acute pain in my chest,” she said.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Langer’s predicament continued. The medical staff initially believed she was experiencing anxiety, further prolonging the critical treatment she needed. “If you know me, I am not an anxious person,” she shared. “I was advocating for my life.” Eventually, an EKG was performed, but it seemed that the results were overlooked amidst the chaos.
As Langer’s condition became more apparent, a cardiologist team swiftly intervened when they realised the significance of her situation. “Once they understood what was going on, doctors and nurses flooded to me,” Langer recalled, noting the reassurance she received from a resident who comforted her, saying, “You must be scared. It is going to be OK. We are going to take care of you.” Feeling heard for the first time allowed her to focus on her treatment.
It was later confirmed that Langer had suffered a widowmaker heart attack, resulting from a spontaneous coronary artery dissection, or SCAD. This severe condition involves a tear in the artery and can lead to life-threatening complications without immediate treatment. Following her heart attack, she underwent the placement of two stents and spent five days in the cardiac unit before returning home to Virginia for recovery.
Reflecting on her unexpected medical emergency, Langer noted that she had maintained a healthy lifestyle prior to the incident. “I exercised regularly, maintained a good weight, and ate well,” she explained. This experience underscored the vital role of health awareness and self-advocacy in recognising serious symptoms.
Langer now emphasises the importance of standing up for oneself in health matters, particularly for women who may be overlooked by medical professionals due to stereotypes about heart health. “I don’t know if I would be alive today if I hadn’t advocated for myself that night,” she cautioned. “It’s critical for everyone, especially women, to ensure their voices are heard, as it could be a matter of life or death.”
As part of her commitment to raising awareness about cardiovascular disease, Langer has become an ambassador for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women initiative, which focuses on promoting heart health among women. “Through the Class of Survivors, I have gained a sisterhood of diverse and compassionate women who support one another,” she remarked, expressing gratitude for being selected to share her journey of survival and advocacy.
In conclusion, Langer underscored the vital message that sharing personal experiences can lead to significant changes in health perspectives and behaviours. “By telling my story, I hope to save a life,” she said. “I want to show my children that even after facing unexpected challenges, you can continue to thrive and help others through your experiences.” Her journey serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of listening to one’s body and advocating for health needs at all times.