
- Approximately 6.7 million adults aged 20 and older in the U.S. are affected by heart failure.
- Joanne Matos opens up about her lifelong struggle with congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart, detailing her journey to recovery after experiencing a stroke and two heart attacks.
- Thanks to ongoing treatment and regular check-ups with her physician, Matos is able to maintain an active lifestyle.
Nearly
Due to her health condition, doctors warned Matos at a young age that having children could jeopardize her health. Nevertheless, at just 16, she found herself expecting her first son.
“I broke the news to my parents when I was about 5 or 6 months along. They weren’t thrilled initially, but soon enough, it became the greatest miracle,” Matos recalled in an interview with Healthline.
“Pregnancy adds extra pressure to the heart and can exacerbate heart failure,” stated Aeshita Dwivedi, MD, a cardiologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital.
Having her son was transformative for Matos, and eight years later, she welcomed her second child.
As a child, Matos was passionate about sports, playing basketball and soccer despite her heart conditions. Unfortunately, she often experienced seizures after playing.
“Doctors advised my parents to keep me from sports or any strenuous activities, but sports were my life. I continued to excel in basketball and soccer,” she shared.
With her sons by her side, she remained active. In 2018, while preparing for a 5K on her treadmill, she suddenly felt nauseous and experienced vision problems.
“I genuinely thought I was dying. Initially, it felt like a seizure — the spinning, the dizziness. I knew I was about to fall, so I decided to sit down and stay safe,” Matos recounted.
Her youngest son was home with her, and worried about leaving him alone, she opted not to call for emergency help. Fortunately, her vision eventually returned.
“I just had to ride it out. It felt like it lasted forever,” she remarked.
The next day, she went to work with a swollen face that was drooping. The following day, still feeling unwell and suffering from a severe headache, she chose to go to the hospital.
“I was terrified I had internal bleeding, especially since my mother passed away from bleeding in the brain, likely due to heart failure,” Matos said.
However, after a week in the hospital, doctors diagnosed her with a stroke.
“With a weakened heart muscle, blood flow becomes sluggish, which can lead to blood clots that increase stroke risk,” explained Isla McClelland, MD, an expert in adult congenital heart disease at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Silent heart attacks can occur without any noticeable symptoms, resulting from blockages in the heart’s arteries that restrict blood flow.
“I had no idea I was experiencing them,” Matos admitted.
Due to her condition, doctors recommended a heart pump called a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to aid her heart in pumping blood.
“In severe cases of heart failure, patients might require an LVAD, which can sometimes serve as a temporary solution while awaiting a heart transplant,” Dr. Dwivedi explained.
Matos ultimately decided against the LVAD surgery because it would limit her ability to participate in activities like swimming and contact sports, or anything that might lead to a fall.
“If I have any regrets, I wish I had opted for the LVAD sooner,” she admitted.
While medications are the first step in treating heart failure, McClelland noted that for advanced cases where medications fall short, options like LVAD and assessment for heart transplants become available.
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic coughing or wheezing
- Fluid retention in the body
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Weight fluctuations
- Increased heart rate
In 2020, Matos faced a peak in her symptoms, struggling with weight gain, breathing difficulties, and swollen legs and ankles to the extent that she had to crawl upstairs. Despite this, she continued to juggle work and her children’s activities.
“Being a mom motivates me. Even if I’m struggling, I don’t want my kids to feel that burden,” she stressed.
Matos was proactive in scheduling regular health screenings to monitor her heart failure. Medical professionals utilize the following
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram (echo)
- Chest X-ray
- Blood tests to check BNP levels
- Stress tests
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Cardiac catheterization
“For individuals with congestive heart failure, it’s crucial to have regular heart screenings to evaluate the heart’s strength and the effectiveness of current treatments,” emphasized Dr. McClelland. “Regular check-ins with a cardiologist can also guide future treatment decisions.”
During a heart catheterization appointment, doctors informed Matos that her organs were beginning to shut down, and that the LVAD was her only chance for survival. She was fitted with the Abbott HeartMate 3 LVAD.
“At that moment, it was clear: it was a matter of life or death. They warned me I might not make it through the weekend,” Matos shared.
Recovery was no easy feat, taking six challenging months, but Matos committed to improving her mobility each day.
She continues to stay active by engaging in doctor-approved exercises, such as using the elliptical machine.
With spring on the horizon, Joanne Matos is determined to participate in a 5K walk or jog. Despite the hurdles posed by her heart condition, she remains resolute in her goal to stay active and push her limits.
Living with congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart has meant sacrificing certain activities, like swimming and kayaking, to protect her LVAD, which aids her heart’s function. However, she views these sacrifices as essential for her overall health and well-being.
After waking up from her LVAD surgery, Matos felt an overwhelming sense of relief, taking her first breath without struggle. This pivotal moment reinforced her belief that every breath is a precious gift.
Looking ahead, her doctors intend to place her on the heart transplant list next year, representing a major milestone in her heart failure journey. She wishes to convey to others facing similar challenges that heart failure does not equate to a death sentence, but rather a redirection in life’s journey.
Matos emphasizes the importance of self-belief, trust in medical professionals, and maintaining a hopeful outlook throughout the heart failure journey. With nearly 6.7 million adults in the U.S. living with this condition, her story serves as a powerful reminder that with the right mindset and support, it’s entirely possible to lead a fulfilling and active life in the face of adversity.