Patricia, aged 55

In May 2022, after a few trying weeks and a particularly difficult week at work, I left to spend the weekend with my family in Normandy, hoping to recharge my batteries. When I woke up on Sunday, shortly after setting foot on the ground, I felt intense pain in my chest, a sensation I'd never experienced before. The paramedics arrived quickly and mentioned a possible anxiety attack. They hesitate for a long time before deciding to take me to hospital. In the end, they told me that a blood test would probably enable me to come out of it quickly. Once in the emergency room, a second, more severe attack occurs. It precipitated the need for coronary angiography and stenting.
I had no risk factors other than high stress levels. If I could go back in time, I would undoubtedly pay more attention to certain warning signs that I had overlooked at the time. For some weeks now, I had been experiencing intense fatigue and shortness of breath during exercise. But I hadn't taken the time to look into it, or even to consult a doctor.
This accident made me aware of my own vulnerability. The fear of dying became part of my daily life, to the point where I was unable to use my heart for fear of asking too much of it. Consultations with the medical profession, and in particular with Prof. Mounier-Véhier, enabled me to better understand and apprehend my "life after". Cardiac rehabilitation was a crucial step in my healing process. It also enabled me to regain confidence in my physical abilities and identify my new limits.
I also realized that all my previous efforts to fit in two hours of sport every weekend had mainly served to ease my conscience. Today, I take every opportunity to get moving. For distances equivalent to two or three metro stations, I systematically prefer walking. And whenever possible, I opt for the bicycle rather than the car for journeys of 5 to 8 kilometers. By making these simple gestures part of my daily routine, I've realized that they don't take up much more of my time. Perhaps it even saves me time at times, and above all it allows me to be physically active on a daily basis without any time constraints.
My experience has convinced me that prevention is the fundamental pillar of good health. That's why I fully identify with Agir Pour le Coeur des Femmes. Treatment is important, but so is prevention, especially in the face of pathologies whose warning signs can be subtle and often underestimated in women.
Lifestyle is our first ally, our first medicine. In my case, stress at work was the trigger. I should have "listened to myself" more in my previous life and made the necessary decisions.
In the end, I was lucky: lucky enough to meet the right people, lucky enough to be able to testify today. And if my testimony has an influence on the life of just one of you, then my accident will make sense, and with such a positive impact that I could almost say that in the end it became a chance.

Cathy, 58 years old

Emergency Physician, Bordeaux

“I’ve been an emergency room doctor for 28 years. I’m very active—I exercise 7 hours a week: running, strength training, and walking. I’ve never smoked.My mother is 80 years old, a heavy smoker, but she has no cardiovascular issues. My father died young in an accident. I have no cholesterol [...]

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 [...]

Jeanne, 63 Years old

CAURO (Corsica), Care assistant

It all started one day in June 2017 with a fairly severe shortness of breath that I initially blamed on my excess workload. After much hesitation, I had to go and see a cardiologist at the Centre Hospitalier de A. where I work as a care assistant. After routine tests, the first "verdict" was: "high [...]