Peekskill Mom Is Survivor Honoree At Westchester Heart Walk

PEEKSKILL-CORTLANDT, NT - From Westchester Heart Walk: Jennifer Garcia, a 40-year old mom from Peekskill, will be the Survivor Honoree at the American Heart Association’s Westchester Heart Walk, on Saturday, September 29th at Kensico Dam in Valhalla. Garcia survived a heart attack in February and is sharing her story and walking to help raise awareness and fund research to fight heart disease—the number one killer of men and women. Registration for individuals and teams is open online at www.westchesterheartwalk.org.

“On February 24, 2018. I was at a birthday party with my family, having a great time dancing the night away. While I was dancing, I began to have chest pain and broke out into a horrible sweat. I sat down for a few minutes felt a little better but when I got home I still didn’t feel that well. I thought I was tired and over-extended myself,” said Garcia, “The next day, I felt horrible--my head was pounding as if someone was hammering at it. I took my blood pressure and it was sky high!”

She took her mother’s advice to go to the emergency room. It was a lifesaving decision. The doctor there said the diagnosis wasn’t exhaustion or heartburn, as she had thought--it was a heart attack. “I couldn’t believe it. I was so scared,” she said, “All I wanted was to be home with my family, especially my 8-year old son, Michael.”

Doctors said that her uncontrolled high blood pressure and possibly her birth control medicine were to blame. The American Heart Association cites research shows that birth control pills can increase blood pressure in some women. It’s more likely to occur if you’re overweight, have had high blood pressure during a previous pregnancy, have a family history of high blood pressure or mild kidney disease. The combination of birth control pills and cigarette use may be especially dangerous for some women.

“I realized that this was my wake-up call to take my health and body seriously. This was a life-changing experience, and probably just what I needed to realize the importance of taking care of myself,” she said. She had had cardiac rehabilitation, and is trying to exercise more, eat a Mediterranean diet and reduce stress in her life.

“I’m walking to help raise awareness, and for my health--and I want to be around for my son,” she said.

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of all Americans. In fact, someone dies from cardiovascular disease every 39 seconds. High blood pressure accounts for the second largest number of preventable heart disease and stroke deaths, second only to smoking. It’s known as the “silent killer” because often there are no symptoms, despite its role in significantly increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke. Learn more at www.heart.org/highbloodpressure.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Heart Walk event nationally. Local companies and residents are encouraged to form teams to walk for their own hearts, for heart and stroke research. Heart Walk event information is available at www.westchesterheartwalk.org

The Heart Walk is sponsored Dr. Patrick W. Thomas and Mrs. Johanna D. Thomas, Fujifilm, WMC Health/Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, New York Presbyterian, Phelps Hospital/Northwell Health, Westmed Medical Group, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, Zedeker DDS, Stop & Shop, Examiner Media, Buzz Creators, and Westchester Magazine.

Photo courtesy of Westchester Heart Walk