Open Your Heart

Open Your Heart Survivor
Jane Cox

Jane’s story is a powerful reminder of why listening to your body and advocating for your health can be lifesaving.

More than a decade ago, Jane began experiencing symptoms that felt like a heart attack, including chest pain, shortness of breath, and a crushing weight on her chest. She sought help again and again, but her tests showed no clear answers. She was told it was stress or anxiety, but her symptoms continued.

Eventually, Jane was diagnosed with coronary artery disease and underwent an emergency procedure. Still, the episodes did not stop. Over time, they became more frequent and more severe, leaving her searching for answers and, at times, questioning her own experience.

But her husband, Brian, never stopped advocating for her. Together, they continued to push forward until they discovered an underlying condition she had been born with, one that did not always show up in traditional testing but could restrict blood flow and mimic a heart attack.

After years of uncertainty, Jane underwent open heart surgery to correct the issue. The recovery was long, but the outcome was life changing. For more than ten years, she lived free from the symptoms that had once defined her life.

Then, more recently, she experienced another warning sign, but like so many women, she dismissed it as fatigue. It was later determined she had experienced a minor heart attack.

Today, Jane shares her story with a clear message. Do not ignore your symptoms. Do not second guess what your body is telling you. Speak up, ask questions, and keep searching for answers.

Jane is here today because of persistence, support, and advocacy, and she hopes her story will inspire others to take action, because awareness can save lives.

Interested in making a bigger impact? Circle of Red is Go Red for Women’s annual giving society, made up of individuals who are in the fight against cardiovascular disease to win. The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement was created to dispel myths and raise awareness of heart disease and stroke being the No. 1 killer of women. Learn more about Circle of Red and join today.

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