American Heat Assocation
GO RED FOR WOMEN Linda Mankin’s Cardiac Story May 2019, another repair to an artery and was successful. Since her recovery, Mankin still works at Corky’s Drive-in, but at a slower pace. She works hard to lower work-related stress.
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inda Mankin injured her knee in 2015, and while getting treatment, she asked the doctor about pain she was having in her jaw. That doctor sent her to a dentist to examine her for TMJ. The pain continued, and they sent her to another medical care provider who treated her with medication. The jaw pain persisted, and pain became part of her life. Over the next few years she had an EKG; help from a chiropractor; and eventually a neurologist who determined the pain was coming from her spine, pinching her between the C5-and C6. These vertebrae provide flexibility and support to much of the neck and the head. Any treatment or medication only slowed the Mankin’s jaw pain for a few days instead of the months that she expected. In all, she saw eight professionals. Tests indicated her veins looked healthy. “I was 70 years-old and they told me I had the veins of a 40-year-old,” said Mankin. “That encouraged me.” Mankin, who works with her family at their business, Corky’s Drive-In in Allegan, found that the pain made it hard for her to work, but she would tilt her head back to ease the pain and continue working. “If the pain got too bad, I learned to tilt my head back a bit with my jaw up in the air and I would get some relief,” said Mankin. “If I was walking down a flight of stairs, looking down could make the pain worse.” She underwent spinal surgery and afterward went to a pain management clinic. Medication designed to last months lasted only days before the pain returned. In March 2019, the jaw and headache pain were so bad that her husband Randy encouraged her to go to the Emergency Room. After a twelve-lead EKG, the staff asked her what she would like to do for further treatment. “I thought, you better not be telling me I’m having a heart attack!” said Mankin. But further testing revealed three blocked cardiac arteries at 100, 90 and 70 percent. She had an angioplasty, and there were complications. Repairs were finished in only one artery when they placed her in an induced coma so her body could recover. Three days later she woke to find her family at her bedside. In
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What do I do if I’m having a heart attack?
Jaw pain is one of the cardiac indicators highlighted by the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign. (See infographic.) Chest pain or discomfort is caused when your heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The discomfort also can occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina pain may even feel like indigestion. In Mankin’s case, it didn’t show as a heart condition in early medical tests. What is Go Red for Women? In 2004, the American Heart Association faced a challenge. Cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year, yet women were not paying attention. In fact, many even dismissed it as an older man’s disease. To dispel the myths and raise awareness of heart disease & stroke as the number one killer of women, the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women, a passionate, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health. The campaign has worked to educate our community that a heart condition in a woman might not look like it does in a man. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort, but women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. In West Michigan, the American Heart Association has been working with the medical community and area women to spread the message that heart disease is not just a man’s disease and that nearly 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with diet, exercise and healthy living. This year the association will host the Grand Rapids Go Red for Women digital experience on February 11 from noon until 2 p.m. Chaired locally by Kellie Norton, a director with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the event will highlight area survivors, have an medical moment, and have a silent auction. Sponsored nationally by CVS Health and locally sponsored by Spectrum Health, other sponsors include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Meijer, Priority Health. Metro Health and the Metro Health Foundation are the Have Faith in Heart Sponsors. Media sponsors include Mix 95.7, The River 100.5, Women’s Lifestyle Magazine and WOTV4 Women. To register, go to Heart.org/GrandRapidsGoRed. There is no charge to attend this year.
If you experience any of these signs or symptoms:
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Dial 911 immediately, follow the operator’s instructions and get to a hospital right away.
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Don’t drive yourself to the hospital.
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Try to stay as calm as possible and take deep, slow breaths while you wait for the emergency responders.
Women who think they’re healthy often misread the symptoms of a heart attack because they don’t think it could happen to them. That’s why it’s crucial to learn about heart attack, know your numbers and live heart-healthy.
National Wear Red Day, part of the Go Red for Women initiative, is Friday, February 5, and everyone is encouraged to wear a touch of red that day. We want to see you in red! Post your photos to social media with the hashtag #GrandRapidsGoRed.
Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • February 2021
