My Symptoms Were Dismissed
Whether it’s our skin, or our heart, sometimes our body speaks to us before we realize something’s wrong. I fainted often as a kid, and it was dismissed as “just puberty.” At 17, I found my healthy mom on the floor — she had had a life-changing stroke.
Years later, as a young mom, I was still experiencing symptoms. I learned that I had mitral valve prolapse and cardiogenic syncope. After my diagnosis in my early 30s, I was put on beta blockers. I didn’t like the way they made me feel, so I improved my health routine even further. Exercise, stress management, food and self-care were my best medicines. I visit a cardiologist annually and to date, at 58 years old, I’ve still been able to avoid all medications.
I’ve always focused on health, but I didn’t focus specifically on heart health. Now, I’m sharing my story to raise awareness and remind us to look out for each other. Let’s keep our hearts strong — together!
— Lisa Brill, founder, Qet Botanicals
Making Heart Health a Priority
Heart health is deeply personal to me. My mom recently passed from heart health complications. Our family was devastated by a catastrophic heart event that took my father-in-law far too young. Both losses were so unexpected, and they changed everything. They were wake-up calls I couldn’t ignore. Now, I’m committed to taking my own heart health seriously and helping take care of the women around me. There isn’t enough education, conversation or urgency around women’s heart health, and I want to be part of changing that.
— Katy Ripp, certified coach, business strategist and podcast host of “#ActuallyICan”
Why I Pay Close Attention to My Heart
I care deeply about heart health because I have experienced its fragility firsthand through the sudden loss of my brother to cardiac arrest. During my pregnancy, I developed high blood pressure that thankfully resolved afterward, but it left me with an increased risk later in life.
Nine years later, my blood pressure became elevated again, and despite an already healthy lifestyle, medication became necessary. High blood pressure is a silent killer of cardiovascular disease, and after losing my brother, I refuse to take chances. Protecting my heart honors his memory while safeguarding my future and the people I love.
— Victoria Rouse, development director, American Heart Association
My Family History Keeps Me Vigilant
Heart health is deeply personal to me. My dad passed away from heart failure, and because heart disease can be hereditary, it’s something I’ve always taken seriously. While my own heart is currently healthy, losing him made me vigilant about prevention and long-term wellness. I prioritize regular exercise — including tennis, pickleball, running and strength training — to keep my heart strong. I also stay on top of routine checkups and listen closely to my body. His experience shaped how I care for myself today, and it’s a reminder that being proactive about heart health truly matters.
— Alisa Sleep, owner/director of operations, Madison Family
Learning to Listen to My Body
I never thought I’d be a woman worried about her heart — until I had PVCs (irregular heartbeats), fainting spells and chest pains, which led to a terrifying ER visit. These incidents forced me to listen to my body. What I learned is that women are often taught to push through symptoms instead of paying attention to them.
Now, I’m deeply committed to protecting my heart. I work closely with a cardiologist, track my labs through Hydralive, ride my Peloton bike every Monday with a group of local women and strength train with Danielle at Peter Kraus Fitness. I also have a therapist and a business coach to help manage my stress personally and professionally — because balanced mental wellness makes a positive difference for heart health, too.
My goal now is simple: to stay healthy, present and here for the people who matter most.
— Mari Slobounov, broker/owner, Living In Madison Real Estate
