After a stroke at age 30, she had to learn how to walk again
Nov 25, 2024
Honey German woke up having a stroke. She wants others to know it can happen to anyone at any age.
Stories From the Heart
This series from American Heart Association News chronicles the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers and advocates.
After childbirth came heart failure – and later, a new heart
Nov 21, 2024
Two months after Ebony Smith-Thomas gave birth to her second child, she was sleeping fitfully with a dry cough. It turned out to be a type of heart failure called peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Basketball coach didn't think his symptoms were a big deal. Good thing he went to the ER anyway.
Nov 19, 2024
Walt Morris dismissed his neck pain and headaches. But when a bolt of jaw pain knocked him to the ground, his wife insisted he go to the hospital. His aorta had torn.
She was told her heart condition made pregnancy dangerous. Her daughter just graduated college.
Nov 14, 2024
Tara Garcia was born in 1974 with a congenital heart defect that was tough to treat at the time. Decades later, she endured irregular heartbeats and two cardiac arrests.
His heart stopped during last year's Richmond Marathon. This weekend, he'll run it again.
Nov 12, 2024
David Griffin had a cardiac arrest while running the Richmond Marathon. Thanks to the quick actions of other runners, he's still alive – and still running.
After his father collapsed in a park, Los Angeles teen helps secure more AEDs in public places
Nov 7, 2024
Michael Isayan watched in terror as lifeguards shocked his father's heart after a cardiac arrest. He feels lucky an AED was nearby.
After 2 decades of military service, 'the Viking sub' learned he had a tear in his aorta
Nov 5, 2024
When Jeff Pharris retired from the military, he started substitute teaching. Two years later, the gym enthusiast thought his chest pain was from working out. It was actually an aortic dissection.
3 days after running a marathon, her aorta tore
Oct 30, 2024
Amber Williams collapsed at work with excruciating chest pain. She had an aortic dissection, which has led to two surgeries with another scheduled.
She had an emergency C-section and heart surgery the same day
Oct 28, 2024
When pregnant with her second child, Kirsten Dorsey learned she had a dangerous bulge in her aorta. Then her aorta tore. The cause was a rare genetic disorder called Marfan syndrome.
Retired journalist fell asleep doing a crossword. He woke up amid a stroke.
Oct 24, 2024
When Paul Krueger started talking gibberish and lost feeling on his right side, his wife called 911. It was a stroke from a clot blocking blood flow to his brain.