How Susan Got Her Life Back After Heart Disease

 
Susan Jackels, 78, knew about heart disease. Many of her family members were affected by some form of heart disease, so she saw its impact firsthand. What she didn’t realize was her risk for developing it.

Today, she hopes her story inspires others.

“I was afraid heart disease would take my life away,” she said. “I didn’t realize heart disease was manageable. I also didn’t think it affected women.”

Susan loves gardening, hiking and water color painting. You can usually find her in the greenhouse at the Bayview Retirement Community, which sits idyllically on a large terrace overlooking the Seattle skyline. She waters the various plants and keeps the blooms vibrant.

A few years ago, Susan stopped doing many of the things she once loved. She started feeling out of breath after walking short distances. Activities became harder, and soon it felt as if her life was being taken away.

“I was in denial that it was my heart,” she said.

Her symptoms worsened over time and eventually, in May of 2020, she suffered a heart attack. Susan was diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is caused by plaque buildup inside a person’s arteries. Over time, CAD can lead to a heart attack, which was the case for Susan.

Susan met with her cardiologist at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH), and together they were able to create a treatment plan to help reverse her symptoms. From prevention to lifestyle changes, medication, surgery and rehabilitation, the team of compassionate and multidisciplinary experts offer a wide range of treatment options.

Susan had a stent placed in her heart, and she changed her lifestyle–incorporating a heart-healthy diet into her routine, exercise, and prioritizing her mental health. She also began a 10-week cardiac rehabilitation program at VMFH. 

“The program changed my life,” she said. 

For many years, Susan felt better. Then, slowly, her heart symptoms came back. This time, her cardiologist identified another issue with her heart. She was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is a genetic condition that causes your heart muscle to thicken. It can block or reduce blood flow to the heart, and, without treatment, can lead to sudden cardiac death.

“It was like my heart couldn’t relax,” explained Susan.

Again, Susan put her trust in her care team at VMFH, and her cardiologist, Mariko Harper, MD, Medical Director of the HCM program, a center of excellence. 

It is estimated that 1 in every 500 people worldwide have HCM, but diagnosing HCM can be challenging because many people experience mild or no symptoms at all in the early stages. Additionally, the symptoms are heterogenous with other conditions. It is one of the reasons why it’s important to be treated by a comprehensive and specialized team, and VMFH is the only comprehensive HCM program in Washington state.

"At that point, I asked, 'what are my options?'" Susan said.

Dr. Harper and Susan reviewed various treatment options, including surgery or a new medication to manage her HCM. Susan, a retired chemistry professor who taught at Seattle University, poured over the science of the medication Dr. Harper recommended as a potential treatment option.

“I did research and found out that this new medication would get to the heart of the problem,” said Susan. “It sounded like the best option to me. The medication would affect the binding of the proteins that enable the heart muscle to contract. It would loosen the binding.”

On the third day after Susan started the medication, she said she could physically feel her heart relax.

“I could finally sleep again,” she said. “My life and health are precious. There is always an answer on the molecular level, and when I understood the medication, I knew it was the ticket. I was so hopeful.”

Today, Susan is back to doing the things she loves, and she says she’s so thankful for her care team, including Dr. Harper, who has been with her through her health journey.

Susan says her recent tests showed her heart is functioning normally.

“The care I received was fabulous at every point,” she said. “When I asked questions, they were willing to respond and help me understand, and it meant so much to me. I can live my life without worry now, and I can take the stress off my shoulders.”

Susan said as long as she maintains her lifestyle changes, diet, exercise and healthy mindset, and continues her medication, she can stay worry-free.

Thanks to the care Susan Jackels received from VMFH’s Center for Cardiovascular Health, she’s gotten her life back.

“I have two grandkids, ages 7 and 9,” she said. “I want to see them graduate from high school. I didn't think that would be possible. Now, I am confident that will happen.”