The Heart Foundation puts spotlight on heart attacks in women

Raewyn’s heart attack struck right in the middle of doing something she loved. On paper, she would be one of the last people you’d expect to have a horrifying heart event. She knew, even before her attack, just how important it was to look after her heart.

But the sad truth is: this happens to far too many women, all over New Zealand. One minute they’re enjoying their life, and the next it is upturned –or worse, lost altogether.

Heart disease is still the single leading cause of death of Kiwi women. And without the kind support of the New Zealand public, it could continue to take precious lives.

Raewyn had a horrifying experience out on the water when a routine swim became a battle for her life. After gratefully receiving the help of two paddleboarders, her heart event led to a hospital stay.

“I’m not allowed to go out into the deep ocean to swim anymore,” she says. “At least, not until they give me the all-clear. I don’t know if they ever will. I really love swimming and I love the ocean, so it’s taken a bit of adjusting to.”

Raewyn wants to stress that heart attacks can be a silent killer. As she personally encountered, the common warning signs are not always present, and everyone’s experience varies. Getting a heart check-up early can save your life.