
- Approximately 6.7 million adults aged 20 and older are living with heart failure.
- Joanne Matos shares her ongoing battle with congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart, detailing her journey to recovery after surviving a stroke and two heart attacks.
- Thanks to treatment and regular check-ups with her healthcare provider, Matos has been able to maintain an active lifestyle.
According to the
Doctors warned Matos from a young age that pregnancy could jeopardize her health due to her condition. Nevertheless, at just 16 years old, she found herself expecting her first child.
“When I was about 5 or 6 months along, I finally told my parents. They weren’t thrilled at first, but ultimately it felt like a miracle,” Matos recounted to Healthline.
“Pregnancy can put additional pressure on the heart and exacerbate heart failure,” explained Aeshita Dwivedi, MD, a cardiologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, in an interview with Healthline.
Having her son transformed Matos’s life for the better, and eight years later, she welcomed her second son.
From a young age, Matos had a passion for sports, playing basketball and soccer despite her heart conditions. Yet, she often suffered seizures after intense activity.
“Doctors advised my parents to keep me away from sports or any strenuous activities. But sports were my life; I continued playing basketball and soccer and even became the star player,” she reflected.
As her children grew, Matos remained active alongside them. In 2018, while preparing for a 5K on her treadmill, she suddenly felt nauseous and her vision blurred.
“It felt like I was dying… it started with dizziness and spinning. I thought, I’m going to fall and hit my head, so I might as well sit down,” Matos recalled.
At the time, her youngest son was just five. Concerned about leaving him alone, she didn’t call for help, but eventually, her vision returned.
“It felt like an eternity,” she shared.
The following day, she went to work with a swollen, drooping face and, still feeling unwell with a severe headache, she decided to visit the hospital.
“I kept worrying that I had internal bleeding because my mother passed away from bleeding in the brain, likely due to heart failure,” Matos explained.
However, during her week-long hospital stay, doctors diagnosed her with a stroke.
“When the heart muscle is weak, blood flow decreases, leading to the formation of blood clots that can result in a stroke,” said Isla McClelland, MD, a specialist in adult congenital heart disease at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, in her comments to Healthline.
Silent heart attacks can occur without any noticeable symptoms, usually caused by a blockage in the heart’s arteries that limits blood flow and damages the heart muscle.
“I had no idea I was experiencing them,” Matos admitted.
Given her condition, her doctors recommended a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a pump that helps the heart circulate blood.
“In severe cases of heart failure, an LVAD may be necessary. It can serve as a temporary solution while waiting for a heart transplant,” Dr. Dwivedi noted.
Matos opted against the LVAD surgery initially, as the device comes with limitations on activities, including swimming and contact sports.
“If I could change anything, I wish I had gotten the LVAD sooner,” she confessed.
While medications are the primary treatment for heart failure, patients with advanced cases may require additional therapies like LVADs or evaluations for heart transplants, McClelland stated.
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Fluid retention in the body
- Extreme fatigue
- Confusion
- Fluctuations in weight
- Increased heart rate
In 2020, Matos faced severe symptoms: significant weight gain, trouble breathing, and swollen legs and feet that made it difficult to navigate stairs. Despite her challenges, she remained committed to working and taking her kids to their activities.
“Being a mom motivates me. I don’t want my struggles to impact my children,” she emphasized.
Matos has remained proactive about regular screenings to monitor her heart condition. Doctors typically utilize these
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram (echo)
- Chest X-ray
- Blood tests to check for BNP levels
- Stress tests
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Cardiac catheterization
“For individuals with congestive heart failure, regular screenings are essential to assess heart strength and treatment efficacy,” McClelland advised. “Routine follow-ups with a cardiologist can guide necessary adjustments in treatment.”
During one of Matos’s hospital appointments for a heart catheterization, doctors revealed her organs were beginning to fail, and the LVAD was her only chance for survival. She was fitted with the Abbott HeartMate 3 LVAD.
“At that moment, it was a clear decision: life or death. They told me I wouldn’t survive the weekend,” Matos recounted.
The recovery process was a tough six months, but Matos was determined to improve her mobility day by day.
She now engages in exercise that her doctor has approved, including using the elliptical machine.
As spring approaches, Joanne Matos is aiming to participate in a 5K walk or jog. Despite the hurdles posed by her heart condition, she is resolute about staying active and reaching new milestones.
Matos, who has been living with congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart, has had to forego activities like swimming and kayaking to safeguard her LVAD, a device crucial for her heart’s functionality. However, she views these sacrifices as vital for her overall health and well-being.
Waking up after her LVAD surgery brought Matos immense relief, as she took her first breath without struggle. That experience solidified her belief that each breath is a precious gift not to be taken lightly.
Looking ahead, Matos’s doctors plan to place her on the heart transplant list next year, marking an important milestone in her journey with heart failure. She wants to reassure others facing similar battles that heart failure is not the end; it’s just a detour on life’s winding path.
Matos underscores the significance of self-belief, trusting healthcare professionals, and maintaining a hopeful attitude throughout the heart failure journey. With nearly 6.7 million adults in the U.S. living with heart failure, her story serves as a powerful reminder that, with the right mindset and support, it’s entirely possible to thrive and remain active despite the challenges.