By Stacy SawyerMost of us can attest that when you’re in your twenties you’re working on your education, starting a career, and maybe even finding that special someone, but for Lisa Mulcrone of Lansing she had one more issue to work on – Lisa had a broken heart. A heart that was physically broken.
“When my doctor told me I had congenital heart rhythm disorder I didn’t even know what he meant,” said Mulcrone. “With no family history of heart disease I was in complete shock. A shock because no one in my family had heart disease and I was only in my twenties and a woman. This isn’t something you think can happen to you.”
It was during a routine physical examination when her family physician noticed an extremely slow heart rate. Her doctor even had a difficult time making sense of it due to Lisa’s young age and her high level of physical activity. “I love to exercise but I didn’t realize how hard my body was working while I exercised…”
Through a battery of tests, including an ECG that showed there was a complete blockage in her heart, it was determined that her heart did not have any structural issues. Which was good news, but the bad news was there were no procedures or medicine for her condition.
Since there was nothing to do about her condition, Mulcrone continued on with exercising and just being aware of her disease. She’s been married for 24 years to her husband, John, and they have a 17 year old daughter. It was her daughter that empowered Lisa to start seeking out answers to her heart disease. “As a mom, I was terrified that the condition could mean my not being around for my daughter. And that broke my heart. I knew I would do whatever it took to make sure I was here for her. She was the single biggest influence in my decision to proceed with searching for a solution. The risk of me leaving her because of a sudden cardiac arrest was not one I was willing to take any longer.”
After finding the experts at the Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mulcrone began to learn about available options for her condition. She initially chose to have a pacemaker and later had a ICD implanted.
Mulcrone is more aware of her general heart health and has begun a more frequent exercise regimen. Because Mulcrone’s disease is something she was born with, diet and exercise cannot ‘fix’ it, however it can help to avoid further cardiac issues.
Today Mulcrone is using her voice to educate women on the issues of heart disease. She’s involved in patient panels at the CVC at the University of Michigan, where patients talk about their experience in order to improve care. She also offers her time to talk to individuals who are facing the similar possibilities of having a pacemaker or ICD implanted.
Mulcrone is also part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women Campaign which celebrates the energy, power and passion of women banding together to wipe out heart disease and stroke. Too many women die each year because they are unaware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer. One in three women suffers in silence, and almost one woman dies every minute. “I want women to know they can take control of their health, not let it control them,” stated Mulcrone.
The local Go Red For Women Luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, March 25 at the University Club, MSU. The event begins at 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Call 616.482.1507 for tickets which are $100 each. Proceeds go to research and education on heart disease in women.
The annual event will feature educational breakout sessions, free health screenings, exhibits, a heart-healthy lunch and inspiration from our keynote speaker. The event inspires, educates and moves women to love their hearts and speak up.
For more information about Go Red For Women, visit GoRedForWomen.org or call 1-888-MY-HEART.
The Author
Stacy Sawyer is the Communications Director of the American Heart Association. She may be reached at 989.225.7513 or stacy.sawyer@heart.org or join her on Facebook at: MidMich HeartAssoc.
February Heart Healthy Event
Go Red
For Women in
Mid-Michigan
Wear Red Day
February 5 is Wear Red Day, a national observance created by the American Heart Association. Men and women across Mid-Michigan are encouraged to show their support by wearing red on Feb. 5. The red dress and the color red are symbols for women and heart disease and the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement. Visit goredforwomen.org/WearRedDay to learn how you and your business can go red.
