Ask Sam: AHA Wall Street 5K 2016

Samantha von Sperling

Four years ago, on my birthday, I received 3 stents in my heart.I went for a run one morning and didn’t feel right. 3 doctors and 5 days later, I found myself forever changed and thanks to advances in medicine still alive and stronger than before.

My pulse, blood pressure and EKG were all fine. Everyone told me, “Your young your fit your female, your fine.” Trust your instincts,you know your body better than anyone. I danced professionally for many years and I knew that I was not “fine” nor was the feeling that my heart was beating in my throat. I refused to “come back next week for a heart monitor and demanded an Echo Stress Test during the appointment that I had scheduled. Your life is worth fighting for! I received an echo stress test and an angiogram. I worried, prayed, meditated and counted backwards till I was out.

Hours later when I woke up, Dr. Coppola came in to see me. He said, “Your an angel. In thirty years as a cardiologist, I’ve never seen a heart like yours. So strong. Both of your arteries were blocked. I had to put three stents in your heart immediately. It’s a miracle that you had this for five days and are still here. The only explanation I can give, is that all your years of exercise created other passageways for blood to flow but still, amazing.”

Shock washed over me as I tried to process that I was forever changed. Dr. Coppola said, “The good news, your young, strong and with these latest generation of stents you will only need Plavex for a year.

With the help of few more doctors and the cardio rehab program at NYU Langone, I lost some stress related weight I had been carrying and was able to run the AHA Wall a Street 5K just 9 months after the stents were put in.

Do the things you value as much as possible. Spend time with people and animals that make you happy.

I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore. I run 5k 4 times a week along with some other exercise. I have a gluten free, vegan diet and want to share my story to raise awareness and hopefully help others. I’m grateful for the advances in medicine that gave me a new lease on life. I run, because I still can!

Imagine the impact if we reduce death and disability from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent by 2020! I’m participating in the Heart Walk to promote physical activity to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke for my loved ones and me. Please help me reach this lifesaving goal by donating today. Together, we can make healthier, longer lives possible for everyone. Why? … Life, life is why. Thanks in advance for your support.

http://heartwalk.kintera.org/nyc/20160308113532408