“MY story is proof that heart problems can happen to anyone at any time” said a Busselton mother who wants to raise awareness of her rare condition.
Pamela McKenzie said she was fit and healthy when she was diagnosed with a rare condition called spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
The condition is a rare, sometimes fatal condition which affects mostly women and can be difficult to diagnose.
“My health has always been really good and I’ve never had any major issues,” she said.
From having normal cholesterol and being a non-smoker to riding to work and regularly walking, Mrs McKenzie said the doctors said the only cause could have been hormones.
She said she knew something was wrong when she had intense pain radiating from the centre of her chest down both arms and called an ambulance.
“No one is really sure how I survived, but I am very thankful I did and I’m hoping to encourage research and study into this area to prevent it happening to others,” she said.
Ms McKenzie said she was eager to help raise money for research as she wanted to prevent anyone else going through the same thing.
“I have found that this has been a very difficult journey both mentally and emotionally as I deal with my loss of independence and sudden new found frailty,” she said.
To donate towards Ms McKenzie’s fundraising page, where all proceeds go to the Heart Research Australia, go to ilovelife.everydayhero.com/au/pamela