Yiwen reclaimed her health by undertaking a total transformation
of her life and daily routines.
Something
had gone wrong for Yiwen.
She
had been playing Badminton competitively for almost thirty years, but on this
day, as she nearly fell, she sat down, trying to catch her breath. Her fellow
players were concerned. Exhausted, she had no clue what to do.
As
a fit and active fifty-two-year-old, Yiwen was used to living a high-energy
life. She worked hard at her software design job, often twelve-hour days, but
she also played hard. She loved sports, hiking, and enjoying all the good
things life had to offer along with her husband.
The
only hiccup was that she had been anemic for the past few years, and she
struggled to keep it in check, trying medications, supplements and a diet
change. Then something went very wrong. During a hike with her husband while on
vacation, Yiwen developed worrying heart symptoms.
Over
the next few months, Yiwen would visit the emergency department, see more
specialists, have many more tests, and finally, a CT scan. Her doctor confirmed
a diagnosis of severe coronary artery disease. Yiwen was shocked as she had
always been considered low-risk as a non-smoker with no family history and
normal cholesterol.
What
was worse, the doctor told Yiwen that her severe anemia would need to be cured
with a hysterectomy before she could have an angiogram and then a stent
procedure. She was put on medications right away to help stabilize her condition
and she was able to advocate for her operation with the help of a close friend.
Looking
back, Yiwen admits that there were also serious issues with her lifestyle. She
was under chronic stress at work and often slept poorly; her diet featured a
lot of red meat, and she drank daily to help relax and decompress. Ultimately,
anemia and her habits were slowly killing her.
Knowing
something needed to change urgently, she went “cold turkey”, as she
would later say. She gave up all alcohol and red meat, fixed her sleep,
radically changed her diet, and managed her stress.
After
ten months of medication and newer, healthier habits, Yiwen was finally able to
have an angiogram. The procedure showed that Yiwen’s heart blockage had
decreased.
Her
scores were so good that she no longer qualified for a stent. Even better, she
needed only one prescription and could be enrolled at the Cardiovascular
Wellness & Prevention Centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Yiwen
learned much during the Stress Management Program and could see its benefits. She
was not comfortable with the idea of meditation, but she tried it anyway,
preferring instead to call it “mental exercises.” She now loves
sharing relaxation tips and other heart-healthy lifestyle suggestions with her
loved ones.
She
also participated in the Institute’s weekly Interval Exercise Training Program,
“graduating” from the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Centre after four
months in April 2024. Her graduation included an exit interview, and she
vividly remembers that her physiotherapist told her she would be just fine.
“I knew I was ready and had really changed my life.”
That
same spring, she returned to the court. Her only goal was to come out of the
day “alive and with no injuries.” Yiwen surpassed all expectations,
winning all her events and qualifying once again for the Canadian Masters
Badminton Championships.
What
did Yiwen learn through her journey, and what does she want you to know?
She
now focuses on what is within her control. She stresses that our daily actions
can really help or hinder our heart health. Healthier habits of physical
activity, better nutrition, high-quality sleep, managing stress, and other
positive changes helped her significantly improve her heart health.
Yiwen
wants more research into women’s heart health, specifically its link to women’s
reproductive health. Heart disease remains the number one killer of women in
Canada and worldwide. She experienced first-hand how her heart health was at
first under-diagnosed, under-treated and is still under-researched.
Her
life looks quite different today than two years ago. Her positive example has
even rubbed off on her husband, friends, family, and her badminton community.
Today, Yiwen has many more tools to keep herself well and with a grateful
heart.
We are honoured to name Yiwen as one of our official 2024 JUMP IN™ For Women’s Heart Health ambassadors. She exemplifies the best qualities of our participants, from coast to coast to coast, who show up for each other and their own healthier hearts day in and day out.
