Listening to Her Body

“WORKING WITH THE AMERICAN HEART Association is personal for me as I am a heart survivor,” says Leslie Kansas Nixon. “I spread awareness for heart health everywhere I can through sharing my story. I hope my experience can serve to educate and promote heart health to young women, and encourage them to listen to their bodies.”

On Monday, May 15, 2018, Leslie woke up in the early morning thinking she had a bad dream. Her heart was pounding and she began to sweat, struggle to breathe and feel chest pain – the kind that left her feeling like she had been kicked in the chest by an elephant. She quickly had her husband call 911.

Within two hours of arriving in the ER, the hospital team determined Leslie had a heart attack, and that she had a heart defect that would require open heart surgery immediately. Ultimately, Leslie was diagnosed with heart disease, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and myocardial infarction.

Two years later, after putting in lots of hard work in cardiac rehab, Leslie, now 43, leads a happy, healthy life with her family. “I choose to take care of myself, both for my own sake as well as for my family. It is very important to me to stay healthy, exercise, eat right and live every day to the fullest. I encourage all the women out there to make themselves a priority because if we don’t, we won’t get to enjoy life to the fullest.”

WATCH ME GO RED. FOR ME. FOR ALL WOMEN.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of women, claiming more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined. It is not just a problem for “older” women. Heart disease and stroke can affect a woman at any age. In fact, new research shows heart attacks are on the rise in younger women. That is why it’s important for all women to take charge of their heart health and encourage others to do the same.

JOIN THE FIGHT.

Go Red for Women – nationally sponsored by CVS Health – is the American Heart Association’s movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. Go Red for Women is working locally, and in communities around the world, to help women understand that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat and empower them to take action to lower their risk.

Go Red for Women empowers women to get healthy through “Watch Me Go Red” – a campaign designed to engage women to show others what they do to experience good health and wellbeing, while inspiring others to do the same. Because together, there is nothing women can’t achieve. We’ve got this.

Know your family history and talk to your doctor about heart disease.

Be Aware. Starting at age 20, women should get screened for CVD risk factors to “Know Your

Numbers” – the five key personal health numbers that help determine risk for heart disease: total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index. Live Well. Even modest changes to diet and lifestyle can lower risk by as much as 80 percent. Make living a healthy lifestyle a priority by moving more, eating smart and managing blood pressure. Make an Impact. More research is needed to find new ways to treat, beat and prevent heart disease in women. Participating in research has never been easier or more important. Research Goes Red puts women in the driver’s seat to accelerate scientific discovery by contributing to health research through clinical trials, surveys, focus groups and more.

The New Orleans American Heart Association will host the annual Go Red for Women Digital Experience on Friday, March 5, 2021. The event, locally sponsored by United Healthcare, Medtronic, LAMMICO, Capital One, LSU Foundation, Hahn Enterprises, Inc., BCBS of Louisiana, Lakelawn Funeral Home, Jones Walker, Abbott, and Biotronik will be a rally for awareness and prevention for heart disease. Heart disease has already touched you or someone you love, so help us save a woman’s life. Register and learn more today at NewOrleansGoRed.heart.org.

Leslie Kansas Nixon with her family.