Never Hesitate on Your Health

A friend of mine, Meaghan Easterhaus, recently had a health scare and shared her story with me. 

“I woke up with what I thought was heartburn,” Easterhaus recalls. “By the time I made it out of the bedroom door, I was experiencing the most extreme chest pain and could not breathe. I’d been having heartburn lately and thought it was a bad attack. I made it to the medicine cabinet as fast as I could and took some Pepto-Bismol tablets and a puff of an inhaler that happened to be there. I didn’t get any relief.”

Her husband was out of town and her three children were sleeping. As she was contemplating what to do, both of her arms went completely numb from her shoulders to the tips of her fingers. These symptoms persisted for over an hour. When she couldn’t take the pain anymore, she called 911.

She was having a heart attack, though unaware in the moment. By the time she got in the ambulance, things were better. Her blood pressure, pulse, oxygen, and EKG levels were all normal.

According to the American Heart Association, the average age of a first heart attack is 65 for men and 72 for women.

Easterhaus is 45.

She prides herself on maintaining a healthy diet and exercises often. She is in good shape by health standards. She also maintains a healthy balance in work and life. She is very involved in the community as a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and business owner of Palm Folly, Best Hard Seltzer winner in the 2024 Best of the Emerald Coast readers’ poll. 

The hospital staff was puzzled and unable to offer an initial diagnosis. She was referred to follow up with a gastroenterologist. But a final blood test came back before her release, revealing an increased level of cardiac enzymes, which indicates a cardiac incident. 

Follow-up testing confirmed a diagnosis—Easterhaus had experienced a heart attack, with 95 percent blockage in one of her three arteries. She subsequently underwent a stenting operation. 

Easterhaus is the third person I personally know that has recently experienced a heart attack at a young age—all people that don’t fit the perceived mold of being at risk for heart attack and cardiovascular disease. 

The American Heart Association notes that heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for 100 years. February is American Heart Month, an opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of heart health. No matter your age, I encourage you to take charge of your preventative health.

The National Institute of Health recommends getting involved by wearing red for awareness, getting active, eating healthy, reducing stress, quitting smoking, and managing conditions alongside health care professionals.   

Put yourself and your heart first. Even just one change can make a difference. Daily meditation or walking could be a simple start. Maybe you opt for one meatless meal a week or incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Yoga, swimming, and weightlifting can be great ways to increase physical activity. Too, you can create boundaries to ensure you are putting yourself first.

We continue to see the benefits of investment in health care access throughout the Emerald Coast through facilities including Ascension Sacred Heart, White Wilson Medical Center, HCA Florida, Baptist Health Care, and the new FSU-TMH Medical Campus. 

Never hesitate to ask for help and to call 911. It is better to be safe than sorry, and health care professionals will always share in that sentiment.

Our bodies often give us subtle signs leading up to health emergencies. Easterhaus’ heartburn in the months before her heart attack were warnings missed. Even in a moment of emergency, she hesitated.

We’ve all boarded a plane to hear flight attendants advising you to put on your oxygen mask before helping others in the case of an emergency. This life is your plane, so be sure to put your mask on first.

Much love,

McKenzie Burleigh, Publisher
mburleigh@palmbeachmedia.com