As a result of my ongoing work to increase awareness on heart disease in women (both congenital and acquired), CH 4 did a special tv segment. I was able to tell my story, discuss the importance of being your own advocate, and provide information on both our local support group and an upcoming fundraiser for WomenHeart. see link for video...
http://www.news4jax.com/video/15878224/index.html?taf=jax
I am also on a video created by your voice new vision and the national healthcare reform policy group at Mayo Clinic. My purpose in this video is for us to band together to positively change the face of healthcare to meet all our needs. Additionally, it is important for everyone to know that the patient’s voice does matter. To make this happen we need to stand up, together, and be heard. I wanted to let you know how I have turned my heart surgery experiences, passion and dedication to advocacy into action for change in the health care system nationally. I hope that you will take a look at it and consider how we can all work together to make health care that works for all of us. See the link to the video
http://healthpolicyblog.mayoclinic.org/2008/03/10/your-voice-new-vision/ or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nih9wfBRm8g
I look forward to hearing from you!
Allison
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CH 4 News interviews Allison Teger for support efforts after heart surgery
- By allytiger
- Posted April 15, 2008 at 2:04 pm · 5 replies
- In How heart disease has changed my life
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Heart disease Surgery Bypass surgery Stroke Anxiety Angina Heart attack Mental health Stress
5 replies
- Oldest first
- Newest first
- By kwinner
- Posted April 15, 2008 at 4:01 pm
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Allison
You're timing is increadible! We've been talking about women and the healthcare system, why we're not taken seriously when heart disease is the #1 killer of women, yet we go to the ER and are not taken seriously, our doctors (often male) give us Zanax and tell us to reduce stress. The number of women on this site alone who had heart attacks after seeking medical care with no diagnosis/treatment is shocking. I think many of us are looking for a way to change things, yet our single voices haven't been heard, thank you for speaking out for us. I'll be looking further into what I can do too!
Standing right beside you -
Kristen
- By fairybell
- Posted April 15, 2008 at 6:23 pm
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thats really great we need awareness. im going through on going chest pains and am being told im too young for a heart attack and angina which i think im having and no one taking me seriouse do you have any advise for me how do i get them to take me seriouse before it is too late cause as the say unstable angina is a warning heart attack is near . i said too drs maybe if i dress like a man and pretend im a guy might get a angiogram performed .anyway would love some advise on how to deal with these unhuman doctors thanks
- By allytiger
- Posted April 15, 2008 at 6:46 pm
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Thank you so much for your voice! Yes, we as a group can make a difference as I mention in both video clips. We need to start a grassroots group of people that all speak up as a unified force. I am looking for ideas to make this happen on a much larger scale and continue to work on how we could do something like a large scale meet-up in DC.
As far as health experiences, I myself had my symptoms tossed aside 3 times in the ER as panic attacks only. From my past heart tests I knew that I at least needed an echocardiogram and maybe even a TEE (a special Echo). Additionally, as a licensed mental health counselor and someone who has lived all my life with heart birth defects, I knew it was more. The panicky feelings did not start until well after the heart symptoms were in full force. Yet they did very limited tests- said nothing was wrong and sent me on my way with not even a referral to a cardiologist.
Now it is time for us to ban together and be heard as one unified voice that we deserve and need good quality care. That everyone deserves medical care and it is time to come together and find a way to make it happen now.
Thanks for your support!
Please stay in touch and feel free to write to me directly.
Allison
- By allytiger
- Posted April 15, 2008 at 7:08 pm
- Report post
Fairybell
I am so sorry to hear that the doctors you have seen have treated you without the dignity and respect that you deserve. It is unacceptable. I think that if more of them had to go through some of the experiences women have had (such as a heart attack at a young age, being told it is only anxiety or in our head, or a stroke) they would communicate and act/react very differently.
My recommendation (and by no means am I a doctor,) is that you keep asking for a new doctor until you find one that listens, does all the possible tests, and has you feeling comfortable or at least like they have exhausted all possible causes of your symptoms.
My friend at 38 had a heart attack about 6 months ago. She thought there was no family history of heart problems. Then 4 weeks ago, her mom had odd symptoms. The cardiologist's nurse said it was muscle strain. Finally both my friend and her mom went in to see the doctor and bingo the doctor ordered a heart cath and they found she had a 90% blockage and needed immediate surgery! That was not the end of it. She continued not to feel well and asked about another artery that the doctor had said was 40% blocked but didn't need anything. The doctor labeled her as a problem patient and told her to get another doctor by letter without even seeing her. When my friend's mom went to the hospital administrator they assigned a new doctor and the CEO of the hospital assisted in making sure she got care. The new doctor did further tests and found her aortic valve had a problem and a block in the artery near it! She needed immediate open heart surgery!
Thankfully she is slowly recovering. But if it were not for me questioning it, my friend (her daughter) asking lots of questions and the CEO, the results may have been very different.
Keep advocating for yourself and asking questions. If something does not seem right get another medical opinion. I hope that you find a doctor that will listen and work collaboratively with you to address your medical questions and needs.
Stay in touch and let me know what happens
Allison
- By coni150
- Posted April 18, 2008 at 12:33 am
- Report post
Hi Allison,
I am right with you. After all my issues, and Cardiac bypass surgery, I made a pledge to myself as a woman and healthcare professional to share my experience even if it helped one single person, the time and effot would be a blessing!!! It is such a blessing to get to know all on the communication board here.
Coni
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