Her stomachache turned out to be heart failure. Then came a huge reversal.
Dec 10, 2024
Saraa Basaria thought she had food poisoning. She was actually in heart failure, which is now in remission.
Stories From the Heart
This series from American Heart Association News chronicles the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers and advocates.
Months after a serious stroke, he was back to drawing caricatures
Dec 5, 2024
Thanks to a supportive wife and intense therapy, artist Adam English also returned to the stage with his barbershop quartet.
New mom spent 3 weeks in a coma after massive stroke
Dec 3, 2024
Erin Adelekun had surgery to stop bleeding in her brain. She couldn't walk or talk and spent months in therapy. Now, she's mobile and speaking again.
After a stroke at age 30, she had to learn how to walk again
Nov 25, 2024
Honey German woke up having a stroke. She wants others to know it can happen to anyone at any age.
After childbirth came heart failure – and later, a new heart
Nov 21, 2024
Two months after Ebony Smith-Thomas gave birth to her second child, she was sleeping fitfully with a dry cough. It turned out to be a type of heart failure called peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Basketball coach didn't think his symptoms were a big deal. Good thing he went to the ER anyway.
Nov 19, 2024
Walt Morris dismissed his neck pain and headaches. But when a bolt of jaw pain knocked him to the ground, his wife insisted he go to the hospital. His aorta had torn.
She was told her heart condition made pregnancy dangerous. Her daughter just graduated college.
Nov 14, 2024
Tara Garcia was born in 1974 with a congenital heart defect that was tough to treat at the time. Decades later, she endured irregular heartbeats and two cardiac arrests.
His heart stopped during last year's Richmond Marathon. This weekend, he'll run it again.
Nov 12, 2024
David Griffin had a cardiac arrest while running the Richmond Marathon. Thanks to the quick actions of other runners, he's still alive – and still running.
After his father collapsed in a park, Los Angeles teen helps secure more AEDs in public places
Nov 7, 2024
Michael Isayan watched in terror as lifeguards shocked his father's heart after a cardiac arrest. He feels lucky an AED was nearby.
After 2 decades of military service, 'the Viking sub' learned he had a tear in his aorta
Nov 5, 2024
When Jeff Pharris retired from the military, he started substitute teaching. Two years later, the gym enthusiast thought his chest pain was from working out. It was actually an aortic dissection.