Wendy Ramirez

My journey with heart health

In July 2025, my life changed in an instant. After experiencing what doctors initially believed was a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), I began a journey filled with uncertainty, countless tests, and more questions than answers. Following extensive investigations, SCAD was ruled out. My heart appeared healthy, my arteries were clear of any blockages, and I was taken off all medication. Doctors ultimately considered the event an anomaly.

Less than a year later, in June 2026, it happened again.

After a second heart attack and another angiogram confirming that my coronary arteries were once again completely normal, I was diagnosed with MINCA (Myocardial Infarction with Normal Coronary Arteries). I have now experienced two mild heart attacks without the typical signs of heart disease and without a definitive explanation as to why they occurred. One thing has become clear: stress is a significant trigger for me.

This experience has opened my eyes to how much we still don't know about women's heart health. Heart disease in women can present very differently than it does in men, and factors such as hormonal changes, including menopause, are only beginning to receive the attention they deserve.

That is why I am participating in the Heart & Stroke Walk. I am walking not only for myself, but for every woman who has been told, "Everything looks normal," despite knowing something wasn't right. I want to help raise awareness of conditions like MINCA, encourage women to listen to their bodies, and advocate for more research into why heart disease affects women differently. Together, we can help shine a light on the unanswered questions and support the search for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention for future generations.