Hear from sister Addie Peterson on how heart disease has impacted her life and how much the Alpa Phi Foundation means to her:

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"When I was 4 years old, my family took me on a hayride during Thanksgiving. Later that evening after my parents and I got home, I was short of breath and wheezing, so we went to the hospital.

 

Not only did I learn that I was allergic to hay, but through a series of tests I learned that I had a heart condition called Long QT Syndrome. Long QT is defined as 'a condition which affects depolarization of the heart after a heartbeat. This results in an increased risk of an irregular heartbeat, which can result in palpitations, fainting, or sudden death.' 

 

Being shocked was an understatement. This was going to affect every aspect of my life for as long as I lived. I was thankful that this quirky situation helped me uncover a life threatening heart condition, but I was not ready for the amount of doctor’s appointments, tests, and questions I would need to answer from people constantly worrying about my health.

 

Fast forward 16 years, and I’m a 20 year old collegiate field hockey player. Physical activity is the single biggest trigger to irregular heartbeats in people with Long QT Syndrome, so I am beyond thankful to play the sport that I love even with my heart condition.

 

It took a lot of monitoring to make sure I was capable of such strenuous exercise, but as I got older, I began to exhibit the signs of Long QT less and less until it became a less worrisome condition.

 

Everyday I am thankful for the fact that this genetic disease did not stop me from fulfilling my passions in life. Keeping a healthy heart is very important and I’m glad that the medical field has been initiating research that focuses specifically on women’s heart health.

 

Being a part of an organization that focuses on women’s heart health hits very close to home for me, and I am so proud to say that I am an Alpha Phi working toward a better and more equal world for women."