health insurance prevented her from being “properly diagnosed.”
She didn’t present as someone with heart failure, so her insurance wouldn’t have covered the necessary tests. This is why Tannie stresses the importance of advocating for yourself. She says, “in hindsight, I should have asked for additional tests.”
Tannie wishes “all doctors would listen to their patients more” and “encourage patients to join a support group” once they are diagnosed with a condition or disease.
Tannie is now a proud advocate for Hear Your Heart, an empowering health initiative that provides education and resources for women with heart failure (especially Black and Latina women) to help optimize their care. Tannie says that being a part of this program was important for her mental and physical healing.
Tannie has advice for patients:
- Keep a journal and record all medications and the different reactions.
- Get care and if you feel uncomfortable, speak up.
- Find a support system right away.
Tannie not only advocates for other women with heart conditions, but she is her family’s biggest advocate. Because her father and grandparents died of heart failure, her three children and brothers get routine EKGs, cardiac echo exams, and blood work.
After experiencing such a close call, Tannie is doing well. She changed her diet and she is working out. She’s helping other women prevent having their symptoms dismissed like hers was.
To learn more about Hear Your Heart and access additional resources for women with heart failure, click here.