Living a Life without Fear

Published: 11 September 2014

Last year at just 44 years of age, Cherie Clark learnt that she had a heart problem - a ‘ticking time bomb’ that wouldn’t go away and she needed surgery if she was to live without fear of a heart event. 

Last year at just 44 years of age, Cherie Clark learnt that she had a heart problem - a ‘ticking time bomb’ that wouldn’t go away and she needed surgery if she was to live without fear of a heart event. 

Hamilton mother of twins, Cherie was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAVD), a disease where the valve has only two leaflets. As a result, the valve doesn’t function perfectly.  It may cope adequately for a few years if the person leads a sedentary life, but the longer crucial surgery is delayed, the more damage there will be to the heart.

It all started when Cherie was training to compete in the Auckland Marathon for the second time and while training, fainted hitting her head.  She had been experiencing some dizziness when running earlier in the year but had dismissed this as anxiety brought on by her determination to improve her running speed and times.  Cherie thought she just needed to concentrate on her breathing, slow down a little, and all would be well.    
 
Cherie says if the Doctor who attended to the stitches from the fall had not been concerned with her heart murmur and referred her to a cardiologist the valve deformity would not have been detected.

“I remember being told that I had a heart murmur and that they were as common as a cold – that’s where I was completely wrong.  From a faint, my heart condition was diagnosed. I am forever grateful that I was able to have surgery to correct the valve and I will now get to enjoy a full life with my husband Bruce and children Scout and Anneliese. I was the lucky one, not everyone gets a warning.

“Being there for my husband and children is the most important thing in my life and I feel privileged to have been blessed with a wonderful marriage and two beautiful loving children.  I chose surgery because I have a lot of wonderful times ahead of me to share with my family and I didn’t want to live my life in fear.  Not being able to watch my children grow up and become adults and not being part of their lives, this was my greatest fear and my biggest motivator to get well,” she said.  

Cherie recovered quickly from her surgery because she was fit from running and had to a large extent enjoyed a healthy lifestyle.  She’s also adopted minor lifestyle adjustments and ensured that the healthy changes have been adopted by all members in her family. 

“While I was pretty much on track in terms of exercise and healthy food, it was important that I instilled good attitudes towards exercise and eating healthily in our children.  I wanted to be a good role model for them.  My perspective on life has also changed.  Now when I am out running in the wet or cold and I’m feeling like I don’t want to do it, I remind myself that I am lucky to be alive, to enjoy the views and be thankful that I am still able to run.  I try not to be so self-obsessed and to be more grateful and appreciative of life,” she said. 

Following her surgery Cherie learnt that she had a family history of BAVD.  Her Granddad passed away from a heart event at 48 and his brother died at 55 all from BAVD. She encouraged all her family to get heart checks and both her Mother and Sister are now under the care of a Cardiologist.

“My advice to anyone who has a family history of heart disease is to be proactive, ask questions and get help before it’s too late.  Don’t say it won’t happen to me.  See the doctor and get a heart health check. If you won’t do it for you - do it for your loved ones,” she said.   

Cherie is running in the Auckland Marathon again this year as a Heart Foundation Golden Charity Heart Racer. She aims to raise $2,500 for the Heart Foundation to help fund heart research.