After Avoiding a Potentially Fatal Heart Attack, Susan Lucci Is Sharing Her Story to Raise Awareness About Heart Disease
Perhaps best known for her role as Erica Kane in All My Children, Susan Lucci has enjoyed a successful career as an actress, television host, author and entrepreneur for more than four decades. But on October 23, 2018, she found a new calling for her life. That’s the day Susan had a sudden heart-health emergency that required immediate surgery and could have taken her life. The Emmy award-winning actress recently sat down with My Hometown Health to tell her story and discuss her newfound passion to educate women and men about the risks of heart disease.
Where were you when you had your heart-health emergency?
I had just finished purchasing a birthday gift for a friend when I felt an intense pain in my chest, like an elephant was sitting on my chest. And then, for some reason, I remembered hearing a woman who had used those exact same words to describe the start of her heart attack. That’s when I knew something might be seriously wrong.
What happened next?
Two salespeople noticed I was in distress and helped me find a seat. The manager of the store, who is a good friend, also has a degree in nursing. When I told her my symptoms, she volunteered to drive me to St. Francis Hospital, one of the best heart hospitals in the country and, fortunately, only about a mile away.
What was the diagnosis?
The CT Scan revealed almost a 90 percent blockage in the left anterior descending artery, also called the widow maker, which, despite its name, strikes women too. There was also a 75 percent blockage in another artery. I had surgery at 10 o’clock that evening. Two stents were implanted to keep the arteries open. I was out of the hospital the next day, and two days later, I performed on stage.
Were there any warning signs?
Yes. In the weeks before, I had twice felt similar sensations, though not as intense. The first time, I felt a slight pressure in my chest that radiated around my rib cage to my back and lasted less than a minute. About ten days later, I had the same sensation, but I came up with all sorts of reasons to downplay it. I thought it might be caused by a new bra that was latched on the wrong hook. When I realized I was wearing an old bra, I chalked the experience up to stress. I didn’t even mention it to my husband.
Looking back, I think there were several reasons why I ignored the warning signs. Like many women, I didn’t want to be an alarmist or call attention to myself. I had a million things to do and people to take care of. And just three months earlier, I had my annual physical exam, including an EKG, which indicated I was in perfect health.
What have you learned from the experience?
Two things. First, I learned how important it is to know your family’s medical history. My blockage was the result of calcium build-up, not cholesterol. I inherited this condition from my father, who had a heart attack when he was 49 but lived to his early 80s. Second, I just feel so grateful and lucky to be alive. I really believe my guardian angel was looking out for me that day.
Why did you decide to get involved with the American Heart Association?
That woman who shared the story of her heart attack may have saved my life. Now I want to follow her example and pay it forward. I want to encourage everyone to know the signs of a heart attack, which are often different for women, and understand the importance of taking them seriously. (See Are You at Risk on page 4 for a list of heart attack symptoms. )
Any final thoughts?
Women are so busy taking care of others that we often don’t take care of ourselves.
That’s why I encourage women to put yourself on your to-do list. Take the time to take care of your body. Learn how you can prevent heart disease. If you ever have chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack, it’s best to go to the hospital or see a doctor and get it checked out. As my doctor said, nobody needs to die of a heart attack. I’m living proof of that.