At first, I was just relieved that I didn’t have a heart attack—that would have been much worse! But living with a chronic, life-threatening condition was a terrifying prospect. I had to change my lifestyle to avoid any triggers that might cause an angina episode. I had to take medication to manage my symptoms, and spend less time doing physical activities I enjoyed, like running.
Most of all, I was forced to confront the frightening reality that I could have a heart attack at any time. I lived in fear, always on edge and waiting for the next attack to come. I saw myself as someone who was dying, a number against a ticking clock.
Eventually, I gave in to despair—it seemed like the only thing that could help me cope with my condition. The dark cloud in my heart overshadowed everything else in my life. I had to accept that I would never be the same person again. I was broken in ways that could never be undone.
My life changed forever the day I was diagnosed with sudden angina. It took so much away from me, and it left me with only fear and sadness in its place.