My name is Kristin and I started this blog in 2015, at the age of 27 to document my journey with Heart Disease as a young adult. While there are many great resources out there for heart disease, many focus on my fellow heart patients who are 40+ years of age.  My hope is that this blog will help other young adults dealing with chronic illness and trying to fight their own battles, whether they be emotional, spiritual and/pr physical.

The highlights version of my story:

In 2015, at the age of 27, I suffered a NSTEMI (heart attack), with a 99% blockage of the LAD that was treated with a stent. Just two months later it was deemed necessary that I undergo a CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) a.k.a. open heart surgery.

In the fall of 2017, I was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma, which was treated with a cryo-ablation in the Spring of 2018.

In early 2018, by bypass grafts failed/went down for the first time and Multiple stents had to be placed at the time. 2018 was plagued with multiple occasions of restenosis of my bypass grafts and recently placed stents. I experienced my second NSTEMI and underwent multiple caths with PCI (intervention) in 2018, with the hopes 2019 would see better luck.

Unfortunately, just 6 months after the last intervention in 2018, I went back to the Cath Lab in February 2019 and had 4 more stents placed. Just 4 months later, I had my first STEMI in July 2019. I went back to the Cath Lab in October and December 2019 due to additional blockages. Yet again, we hoped 2020 would bring better luck…

In February 2020, I had NSTEMI #3 and received two additional stents in my RCA graft. Sadly, just 10 days later, I experienced NSTEMI #4 and went back to the Cath Lab.

With a beautiful lipid panel, doctors believe that my issues are two genetic conditions, elevated LP(a) and Familial Hypercholesterolemia as well as an unidentified condition. My case is extremely rare and very complicated which currently has us researching possible next steps and pursuing additional opinions at the top cardiac institutions in the US.

This blog will chronicle my battle with heart disease and my journey to find the best treatment we can. It will also feature my trusty sidekick, Sherry, my mom, advocate and unending source of support. It will also feature our pups, Gracie and Finley.

Why Victory of the Heart?

I am a young christian trying my best (although failing at times) to bear witness to Christ.

Even amongst the physical, emotional and spiritual suffering. Each day is a victory of the heart, choosing to courageously live and finding victory in the small and big moments.