Yvonne's symptoms of breathlessness and back pain are an example of the different signs of impending heart attack in men and women – one of the key reasons heart disease in women is often misdiagnosed.

 

Symptoms

I had been going to the gym and feeling quite fit. My cholesterol level and blood pressure were normal but while on a short bush walk in Ku-ring-gai National Park in 2008, I became short of breath and felt a discomfort in my back and arms.

 

I kept going but that night at home I started thinking about the fact that Mum had died of atherosclerosis.

 

Life-saving surgery

The next day my GP referred me to cardiologist Peter Caspari at Royal North Shore Hospital. I couldn't complete the stress test ... so he did an angiogram. He told me I had blocked arteries but they would not be able to do a stent; I would need quadruple bypass surgery!

 

A better life

The operation was a complete success and an echocardiogram six weeks after the operation showed my heart was in perfect condition.

 

I am very lucky that I was able to have surgery before I had a heart attack. Dr Caspari said he didn't need to see me for another two years. I am now back in full swing and very involved with Rotary where I am chairing a district committee.

 

As well as focussing more on my own health now, the experience has inspired me to volunteer to work for the Foundation, as I am a direct beneficiary of the fantastic heart research they support.