My cardiologist told me a lesion like this is very rare in a woman my age but in men they call it the 'widow-maker'.Īs a close friend so aptly put it, 'What the f-?!' No diabetes, no family history of early heart disease - no risk factors.īut three weeks after this odd ache appeared on the walk up to Byron Bay lighthouse which I usually do easily on my annual holiday, I was in a coronary care unit recovering from a life-saving operation.Īn angiogram X-ray revealed a 95 per cent narrowing of the most important artery and a stent was put in immediately to open it and restore proper blood flow. I have healthy cholesterol levels, normal blood pressure. I'm fit and active, I eat well, I don't smoke. It never crossed my mind there could be anything wrong with my heart. I was convinced the dull ache that came on during exercise across the top of my chest and shoulder blades, occasionally spreading to my neck and jaw, was just more strain and pain from slumping over my computer. If not for their caution, I mightn't still be here. I thought the doctors were over-reacting, which in hindsight, seems stupid.