Surviving a Heart Attack at 47

February is American Heart Health Month and February 1 kicks off National Wear Red Day® Go Red for Women, an initiative by the American Heart Association (AHA) to bring more awareness to women’s heart health. According to the AHA, “heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined.” Fortunately for Tara Stermer, a resident of Cromwell, her story had a different ending.

Stermer is a wife, and working mother of three of children, one in high school and twins in college. She considers herself blessed and grateful because a year ago, at age 47, she survived a heart attack. She wants to share her story in the hopes that it will help at least one woman from missing the warning signs of heart disease.

In sitting down to interview Stermer, it was clear that she is still emotional in recalling the months leading up to the day she went into cardiac arrest almost a year ago on March 25, 2018.

In reviewing her hospital paperwork noting the risk factors for a heart attack, she did not have any listed. Her blood pressure and cholesterol were normal, she’s always been a non-smoker, not diabetic, and no family history of chest pain, heart attack or stroke. One wouldn’t think her age was a factor either. As for exercise, she walked regularly and participatedoccasionally in exercise classes. By all means, she didn’t fit the profile of someone that was a candidate for a heart attack.

However, she did have a few symptoms; mainly heartburn for a good year prior in which she took over the counter medication. She also had bad headaches. Her jaw pain she associated with a prior diagnosis of TMJ. Stermer said she learned later that all of the above were warning signs. She never had any chest pain.

Two months prior to her heart attack, she first went to urgent care when her right shoulder blade was achy and she said, “I just didn’t feel right.” This didn’t raise a red flag for heart disease since her blood pressure was normal.

The following month (February 2018), she went to see her primary care doctor because her heartburn had worsened. Additionally she shared other concerns. She would have to open her shoulder blades, pushing her chest out, to get a good breath; and her right shoulder blade was still sore. The medication for heartburn was changed, and the doctor attributed her shoulder pain to using the snow blower and shoveling following a few recent snow storms. At this appointment, the doctor did order an EKG (which Stermer requested based on a co-worker’s suggestion), and the results were normal. The underlying theme- “I didn’t feel right,” she reiterated.

She was also sent for blood work and a gallbladder ultrasound as shoulder pain and heartburn can be warming signs of gallbladder disease. Her blood work was normal, however, her Triglycerides were not checked because she wasn’t in a high risk age group.

The day after having her lab work and gallbladder ultrasound, Stermer said she felt very nauseous with flu-like symptom. The next morning, Sunday March 25, she went to church with her daughter and husbandBrian, who didn’t always attend with them. Throughout Mass, she describes feeling like she was in another world, not focused, and very agitated/anxious. At one point, she nudged her daughter and said we have to go. By the time they were at the entrance of the church, she felt like she couldn’t walk. “I don’t know what is wrong with me,” she repeatedly said to her husband and daughter.

Her husband took her to Middlesex Hospital Emergency Room where at first the ER staff thought she was passing a gallstone (however results from her ultrasound were then confirmed negative). Stermersaid, by the grace of God, the ER doctor was in the room when she flat lined and was able to bring her back. She was then triaged to Hartford Hospital and within 22 minutes of arriving she was brought into the operating room. She remembers being told she was going into a big room with bright lights and lots of people- heart surgery following a massive heart attack with a blocked artery. Not what she would have scripted to be on her agenda for an early springmorning at the age of 47.

She credits Middlesex and Hartford Hospitals for their life saving care! “I am also most grateful to my husband- he saved my life,” she remarked. If he didn’t wake up that morning and say “girls, let’s go to church,” and attend Mass with her and her daughter, the outcome may have been very different. So many what ifs.

What Stermer knows to be true is that after twosurgeries, a week in the hospital, outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, eating healthy on a Mediterranean diet, and regular exercise, is that she has never felt better.She is back at work and no longer suffers from heartburn and headaches. Her lifestyle has also changed to include a list of medications now part of her daily routine. “I am so thankful for my family and friends for their support after my surgery and for the meals they provided, flowers sent, etc.,” she stated.

It’s been a long road of recovery for Stermer, and she admits that she does get anxious since her heart attack (something that is new to her), and a year later is working to manage and address it.

Now 48, her message, “Advocate for yourself. If you believe that something doesn’t feel right, don’t dismiss it.” No doubt, Stermer is a strong woman with a life-saving message to share. She is a true ambassador to speak out on women’s heart health.