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- Approximately 6.7 million adults aged 20 and older are living with heart failure.
- Joanne Matos narrates her lifelong battle with congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart, detailing her journey to recovery after suffering a stroke and two heart attacks.
- Thanks to treatment and regular check-ups with her healthcare provider, Matos leads an active lifestyle.
As per the
Due to her medical condition, healthcare professionals advised her from an early age that pregnancy could endanger her health. Nevertheless, at just 16, she learned she was expecting her first child.
“I shared the news with my parents around five or six months into the pregnancy. Initially, they were not pleased, but eventually, it became the biggest blessing,” Matos recounted to Healthline.
“Pregnancy places additional stress on the heart and can exacerbate heart failure,” explained Dr. Aeshita Dwivedi, a cardiologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, during her conversation with Healthline.
Matos expressed that having her first son was a transformative experience. Eight years later, she welcomed her second son.
Growing up, Matos was passionate about sports. She actively participated in basketball and soccer, despite her heart conditions. However, she often faced seizures following her games.
“Doctors advised my parents against allowing me to engage in sports or any strenuous activities. But sports were my passion, and I continued to excel in basketball and soccer,” she shared.
When her children were born, she remained active, often playing with them. In 2018, while training for a 5K on her treadmill, she suddenly felt nauseated and her vision blurred.
“It felt like I was dying… at first, it resembled a seizure—everything was spinning and dizzying. I thought, I better sit down to avoid falling and hurting myself,” Matos recalled.
Her youngest son, then just five years old, was at home with her. Fearing for his safety, she opted not to call for emergency help. Fortunately, her vision gradually returned.
“I just endured it. It felt like an eternity,” she said.
The following day, she arrived at work with a swollen, drooping face. The day after that, still unwell with a severe headache, she decided to seek medical attention.
“I worried I might have internal bleeding since my mother passed away from a brain hemorrhage, likely due to heart failure,” Matos explained.
Ultimately, during a weeklong hospital stay, doctors diagnosed her with a stroke.
“With a severely weakened heart muscle, blood flow becomes sluggish. This slowdown can lead to blood clots, which increase the risk of a stroke,” said Dr. Isla McClelland, a specialist in adult congenital heart disease at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, during her discussion with Healthline.
Silent heart attacks can occur without any noticeable symptoms. This type of heart attack happens due to a blockage in one of the heart’s arteries, limiting blood flow to the heart muscle and causing damage.
“I was completely unaware I was experiencing them,” she admitted.
Given her medical situation, her doctors suggested she get a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which aids the heart in pumping blood.
“In cases of severe heart failure, patients may require an LVAD, which can sometimes serve as a bridge to a heart transplant,” Dr. Dwivedi explained.
Matos chose to forgo the LVAD surgery due to the limitations it would impose on her activities, such as swimming and contact sports, as well as any activities that could lead to falls.
“If I have one regret, it’s that I didn’t get the LVAD sooner,” she stated.
While medications are typically the first line of treatment for heart failure, Dr. McClelland noted that in advanced heart failure cases where medications are insufficient, advanced therapies like LVAD and evaluations for heart transplants become necessary.
- shortness of breath
- persistent coughing or wheezing
- fluid retention
- fatigue
- confusion
- weight fluctuations
- increased heart rate
By 2020, Matos’s symptoms intensified. She gained weight, struggled to breathe, and experienced significant swelling in her legs, ankles, and feet, making it challenging to walk upstairs. Regardless, she managed to work and take her kids to their activities.
“Being a mother motivates me. Even though I’m struggling, I want to ensure my kids aren’t affected,” she said.
Matos committed herself to regular screenings to monitor her heart failure. Doctors often utilize the following
- electrocardiogram (ECG)
- echocardiogram (echo)
- chest X-ray
- blood tests for BNP levels
- stress tests
- cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- cardiac catheterization
“For individuals with congestive heart failure, regular heart screenings are crucial to assess the heart’s strength and the effectiveness of their current treatment,” Dr. McClelland stated. “Consistent follow-ups with their cardiologist can also help determine any necessary adjustments in treatment.”
During a heart catheterization appointment, which assesses blood flow through the heart, doctors informed Matos that her organs were failing and that an LVAD was essential for her survival. She received the Abbott HeartMate 3 LVAD.
“At that moment, it became clear: it was a matter of life or death. They told me I might not survive to see the weekend,” Matos reflected.
Although her recovery process was arduous and lasted six months, Matos pushed herself to gradually increase her activity levels.
She continues to exercise with activities her doctor has approved, such as using the elliptical machine.
As spring approaches, Joanne Matos is eager to participate in a 5K walk or jog. Despite the hurdles posed by her heart condition, she remains resolute in her commitment to staying active and challenging herself.
Living with congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart has meant giving up activities like swimming and kayaking to safeguard her LVAD, a device that supports her heart’s function. However, she views these sacrifices as essential for her health and well-being.
After waking up from the LVAD surgery, Matos experienced an overwhelming sense of relief as she took her first unlabored breath. This moment reinforced her belief that every breath is a precious gift and should never be taken for granted.
Looking ahead, her healthcare team plans to add her to the heart transplant list next year, marking a significant milestone in her battle with heart failure. She hopes to inspire others facing similar challenges, emphasizing that heart failure is not a death sentence but a detour on life’s journey.
Matos stresses the importance of self-belief, trusting healthcare providers, and maintaining a positive 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, one can thrive and maintain an active lifestyle despite life’s challenges.
