Jessie Sherman
Why did you sign up for the Challenge?
For years, only a handful of times, I would feel my heart rate speed up.
It would come at random times and without warning. I later learned these were heart palpitations. They would only last a couple minutes and I always just assumed it was an anxiety or panic attack. I had never
spoken to my doctor about it since it was so infrequent. In November
of 2012, I was actually hospitalized because of the heart palpitations
with my heart rate peaking at 235 (normal heart rate is between 60-100).
I was diagnosed with Supra Ventricular Tachycardia, or SVT. This is a heart arrhythmia where the heart beats at a very rapid pace. While this is not a life threatening condition at my current age of 25, as I get older and things don’t work the same, it could create a whirl wind of health problems. After being on prescriptions for months, two cardiologists recommended having a procedure done called a catheter ablation. With this, catheters with heated tips cauterize, or burn, the affected tissue that causes the palpitations. I actually had the surgery March 12th and I have never felt better! I signed up for the challenge because more than ever, I feel like I am an advocate, being a woman with a heart condition. I think it is extremely important for women to have regular check-ups and know that anything to do with the heart is not
minor!
What do you plan to focus on in the 8 week period?
The 8 week challenge for me is just a chance to get healthy – to eat right and to exercise as often as possible. With the surgery being the second week into the challenge, this is a little difficult at the moment but I cannot wait to get back on the saddle. My co-workers have noticed my clothes fitting a little bigger which is a huge compliment to me!
What do you hope to accomplish?
At the end of the challenge, I hope to just feel better about myself overall. I wouldn’t mind going down in my weight, but how much I weigh doesn’t matter nearly as much to me as how I feel day to day and in my own skin.
