Emilie, 47

“I lead a fast-paced life: a successful professional and an athlete always on the go.

During lockdown, I started experiencing persistent shortness of breath and intense fatigue, but I brushed these symptoms off despite my family history.

An initial cardiology evaluation seemed reassuring. I left feeling relieved, never imagining that my body was trying to tell me something for the first time.

And, as often happens, life took over: my brother’s illness, tensions in my relationship, work pressure… The recommended stress test was never performed.

In April 2021, everything fell apart: burnout, a breakup, my brother’s death. In the midst of this turmoil, the chest pain suddenly returned. I attributed it to stress. The next day, it came back again, stronger, radiating down my arm and into my neck.

On my way to pick up my niece, I realized: this time, it’s serious. I wait until I arrive to ask for help. At the clinic, the verdict comes down: heart attack. The coronary CT scan shows that the left IVA artery is blocked.

What follows is intensive care and the placement of a stent, then restenosis three months later requiring two active balloons. My body finally cried out.

The rebuilding process is about to begin. Learning to listen to myself and my body, to slow down, to say no, to reinvent my life… I’m embarking on a long journey back to myself.

One day, I discover the existence of the Bus du Cœur des Femmes in my local newspaper. At first, I think prevention is too late for me… But I decide to go anyway.

That’s when everything changed: a true cocoon of support. I was offered a fully covered check-up; representatives from the Health Insurance Agency were there to assist me; firefighters taught me life-saving techniques; I had caring conversations… and I also secured an appointment with a renowned cardiologist, who confirmed that I was receiving the right care.

I finally leave feeling reassured, less alone. I often tell myself that if this bus had existed sooner, perhaps things would have been different. Since then, I’ve been telling people about it and I make a donation every year to Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes.

From this experience, I wanted to write a book, written as a companion on the journey. “From Pain to Self-Love – Journal of an Inner Rebirth.” In it, I recount with sincerity and hope my journey of physical and emotional healing, the path toward listening more attentively to my own body, and the strength I was ultimately able to draw from my cardiovascular disease—one of the leading causes of death among women.

My story aims to remind every woman that loving yourself, taking care of yourself, and getting screened can save your life.

My book is available as a self-published title on Amazon, Cultura, Fnac, and in bookstores.

Pascale, 49 years old

Villeneuve d’Ascq, France

My name is Pascale. I’m 49 years old and I live in Villeneuve d’Ascq. I don’t smoke, drink or vape and I eat well. I’m stressed and constantly anxious. I’m worn out and tired… actually, I’m exhausted. Everything’s related to my personal and professional life story. My body tried to [...]

Sophie, 47 years old

Business executive in Lyon

During lockdown, I was experiencing strange sensations. I called the paramedics right away and described what I was feeling. They told me I was having a heart attack. Fortunately, I was taken to the hospital right away and had two stents inserted. I was released after four days and started cardiac [...]

Carole, 46 years old

Marseille, teacher

Often tired as soon as I woke up, I consulted different doctors on several occasions, who treated me for anxiety and stress. I was astonished because I had no reason to stress, but the doctors were unanimous, so I stopped wondering. So I endured what I described as tetany attacks: I felt oppressed [...]