Meet Melinda

Troubled by fatigue, shortness of breath and heart palpitations that doctors felt were caused by hypothyroidism or anxiety, Melinda recalls sitting at her desk at work, feeling like she was going to faint. Her heart rate was in the low 40s. Melinda remembers, “I started feeling worse after this. I wasn’t myself, tired, sleeping a lot and I had no energy.”

Melinda insisted that her symptoms be checked further and was seen by a cardiologist. Even though she felt like something was wrong, she never expected to hear the news that she needed a pacemaker.

“It was a shock. I am too young, active and healthy,” remembers Melinda. An avid race walker, Melinda was concerned about how this development would affect her training. Through sheer will, and thanks to her fitness level, she was able to walk one mile a mere two days after her pacemaker was implanted. Within eight weeks, she finished a nine-mile walk with her training group.

“It is a great feeling when you go into the doctor’s office and ask about doing races. My doctor was not used to his patients being so active. I want to participate in the Run for Your Heart race because I want to be an inspiration to others. Don’t let health setbacks stop you. You can do this.”

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