For Taelur Littlejohn, the birth of her child on January 2nd was supposed to be a joyous occasion. But just hours after returning home from the hospital, her world took a terrifying turn.
“…I started feeling like a very tight feeling in my chest,” she recalls. Recognizing something was seriously wrong, she contacted her eldest son and instructed him to call an ambulance.
The Emergency and Diagnosis
Once at the hospital, Littlejohn underwent a series of tests, but doctors were initially uncertain about what was happening. “I remember specifically asking if I was having a heart attack, and they were like, ‘No, you’re too young to have a heart attack,’” she tells BlackDoctor.org.
However, test results soon revealed a grim reality. “They were running a test called a troponin, which indicates if you’re actually having a heart attack or not, and it came back—the numbers were through the roof.”
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Despite not exhibiting the typical symptoms of a heart attack, she was indeed experiencing one.
Her condition quickly deteriorated. “Every time I felt that strain in my chest, it was me having another heart attack,” she explains.
Doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize her, but after several days in the ICU, her condition worsened. She was transferred to a heart hospital in Dallas, arriving just in time. “…Had I not got there at the time frame that I did, I wouldn’t be here today,” she says.
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Emergency Surgery and the Road to Recovery
Littlejohn underwent an emergency triple bypass heart surgery. “When I woke up a week later, I remember looking down, seeing my chest had been cut open, with all these tubes and IVs on me, and I was like, ‘What happened?’”
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The recovery was grueling. “I was in the hospital for almost three months, away from my kids,” she says. She had spent less than 24 hours with her newborn before being separated due to her medical crisis.
Rehabilitation was a long and painful process. “I had to learn how to walk upstairs again, how to do everything. I had new restrictions—I couldn’t pick the baby up, I couldn’t lift my arms,” she recalls.
The Need for More Awareness of Pregnancy-Related Heart Risks
Littlejohn’s experience exposed a troubling gap in maternal healthcare. “I wish people talked about it more, whether it be doctors or even OBs,” she states.
She was diagnosed with SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection), a condition she had never heard of before.
The lack of awareness concerns her deeply. “The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate, and that’s really concerning,” she says. She recalls noticing severe swelling in her feet and legs upon returning home from the hospital. When she called for advice, she was reassured that it was “normal.” Reflecting on that moment, she now believes these symptoms should have been taken more seriously.
“I just wish that the conversation was talked about more. I wish more women could educate themselves about complications that can happen during and after pregnancy,” Littlejohn adds.
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Advocating for Self-Awareness and Early Intervention
Littlejohn urges expecting mothers to be proactive. “Don’t ignore anything. Even if it seems small, get a second opinion,” she advises.
She emphasizes the importance of advocating for yourself. “If you feel something is wrong, demand that your doctor looks into it. Don’t take symptoms lightly, especially if you just had a baby.”
Reflecting on her own experience, she warns, “The one time you might not think it’s a big deal, it could be—and it could be your life.”
Becoming a Voice for Change
Littlejohn has turned her harrowing experience into a mission to raise awareness. She has partnered with the Go Red for Women movement to educate others about cardiovascular diseases affecting women.
“It’s amazing, it’s a beautiful thing,” she says of the initiative. “When you meet other survivors and hear their stories, you realize how important it is to talk about this.”
Through her advocacy, she hopes to bring about policy changes that ensure women’s heart health concerns are taken seriously before they reach life-threatening stages. “If we can address the symptoms early on, we can prevent a lot of unnecessary suffering and loss of life.”
The Emotional Toll and Importance of Support
While the physical recovery is challenging, the emotional and mental toll is just as significant. “People talk about the physical impact, but not enough about the emotional and mental impact,” she shares.
Littlejohn leaned on her support system, primarily her mother and sister, but acknowledges that not everyone has a strong network. “Even if you don’t have a big family, find support groups. I found Facebook groups with other women who had gone through the same thing, and that really helped me.”
Lifestyle Changes for a Healthier Future
Being diagnosed with heart failure at just 28 was a difficult reality to face. “My cardiologist knows every time she sees me, I’ve found something new on Google,” Littlejohn jokes.
She has made significant lifestyle changes to improve her heart health. “A low-sodium diet, staying active, walking with my kids, cutting out pork and fried foods—just making healthier choices overall,” she says.
Hopes for the Future
Looking ahead, Littlejohn hopes for more research and awareness surrounding pregnancy-related heart conditions. “My goal is for women to be heard more, for our concerns to be taken seriously, and for more studies to provide the answers we need.”
Now 30, she believes that better education, early diagnosis, and proper medical attention can prevent many tragedies. “If everyone gets on the same page—doctors, researchers, and patients—we can save lives.”
Taelur Littlejohn’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of advocacy. Through her experience, she is paving the way for future mothers to be more informed, empowered, and protected.
“If my story can help even one woman get the care she needs in time, then I know I’ve made a difference,” she concludes.
