My father passed away at 68 due to a heart attack, but years before that we already knew he was a walking time bomb.  He declined to have a heart surgery many years ago when the blocks were just starting to build, and when he finally wanted them removed, it was too late.  Doctors couldn’t perform the procedure anymore due to complications from other factors such as diabetes and hypertension.

Based on memory, my sister was 4 or 5 when I remember her strapped to a hospital bed with plastic all around the bed.  She was high risk for infection and was wearing an oxygen mask.  My memory of this are bits and pieces but I know it was because she had a procedure for the hole in her heart.  She was born a blue baby and due to the hole in her heart, she couldn’t participate in strenuous activities with other children. My parents would always find her in a corner, literally blue in the mouth and grasping for air.

When I was told that the doctors heard some regurgitation during my pregnancy, I immediately thought that I got the “heart disease” too.  I knew then that technology was far more advanced and minimally invasive mitral valve repair was very much possible but still, I didn’t want to think that I needed it.

Thankfully, it wasn’t too alarming to require any operation or procedure.  A cardiologist was on call when I gave birth to my little girl to make sure everything would be ok.  I just hope that when I do get pregnant again, I wouldn’t have to deal with this.  I know there are things I should do from my end, like maybe trim down my weight or eat healthier food, but I just hope that I won’t be told that there’s something wrong with my heart again.  I pray I don’t get that from my family.