Karen Berry, aged 46, had been experiencing fatigue and breathlessness for a few months before realising it could be more serious.
Karen, who walked and cycled regularly, recalls noticing symptoms a few times such as when walking up the steps in a hotel with her friend, she laughed off her breathlessness thinking she was unfit. She often noticed too that she would fall asleep when sitting down on the sofa during the day. People also told her she looked unwell.
She was then at home with her husband and children and said she felt like she was going to faint so told her husband to put a chair under her. She woke up a short while later and learned that she did faint.
Karen had previously suffered a bad concussion which impacted her reading, writing and driving abilities. Because she still had some concussion symptoms, Karen thought it would be best to consult her doctor which resulted in a referral for a medical assessment in hospital.
"At no stage did I think it was heart related."
Through the medical assessment, they undertook a blood test, blood pressure check and assessed her lifestyle. The results highlighted Karen’s heart murmur, which she was aware of and didn’t cause any problems.
They said Karen would require a heart echo and would need to wait 6 weeks for an appointment, however an appointment became free that day. As it was late in the evening the echo had not been read and Karen was told to go home and the hospital would ring her the following morning with the results. The hospital rang her later that evening and told her that her results had come back and asked if she could return to the hospital that night as they wanted to do some extra tests the next day that needed her to fast and have sedation. At this stage Karen still thought there was nothing too urgent wrong and her biggest concern was letting her employer know that she wouldn’t be at work the following day. Even her husband Alan, who was away at a conference in Croatia, wasn’t overly concerned.
During the day she had other tests such as an angiogram and a transesophageal echocardiogram and when her Consultant came to see her that afternoon he explained that her mitral valve was very badly damaged and had a build-up of calcium, possibly from a previous infection. She was told she would need a mitral valve repair. This was completely unexpected and she said ‘it all happened very quickly but I’m happy with the suddenness of it as I didn’t have time to worry.’
Karen was given information booklets explaining the condition and was transferred to the cardiothoracic ward where she underwent open heart surgery. She spent a total of three weeks in hospital, including 5 days in ICU.
“The hospital was a very difficult place to be as I was surrounded by people who were very sick and heard families being called to say goodbye to their loved ones. I felt helpless and sick.”
However, she feels this was greatly helped by the hospital staff who went above and beyond to help people, patients and their families alike. They also spoke with Karen’s husband to prepare for when Karen would go home and what support would be needed.
When Karen, who is living in Tuam, Galway came home her husband Alan, sons Ruairi and Donnacha and both of their mums, Ann and Eileen, were a great support. She also praised her friends and neighbours for helping her. The day she came home from hospital she realised she would need a more suitable chair, by the time they arrived home , one had been sourced and was in her sitting room within hours. Food was dropped off by neighbours and even her friends in her home county of Wexford were on hand, offering support and a listening ear.
Information was shared with Karen, including a recommendation to join the Irish Heart Foundation’s Heart Support Network and to see a psychologist.
Karen said ‘Brigid Sinnott in the Irish Heart Foundation checked in regularly when I came home and shared all of the possible supports with me. Even though my physical recovery was going well it did hit me psychologically and it was great to be able to access a psychologist and counselling.
The primary school secretary said her workplace was also so helpful in allowing her to recover at her own speed and come into work and leave when she needed to manage her fatigue. They also facilitated her days off for her to attend exercise classes as part of her initial cardiac rehab, including allowing her access to the school’s astroturf pitch for her daily walks, and even now when she attends Exwell classes in Tuam. Karen says ‘they are not my colleagues, they are my friends and they were and continue to be a huge support.’
Karen and her family got a puppy in September 2023, who now keeps her very busy walking. She also took up group drumming classes with Drumadore, something she really enjoys and gives her a social outlet too. In July she went with her son to London and achieved up to 20,000 steps each day.
She uses an Apple Watch now, something that helps her to track what she is doing and gives reassurance. A trip to Knock shortly after her surgery gave her great peace of mind and an opportunity to say a few Thank You’s.
As Karen was fitted with an annuloplasty ring she now carries a medical device card which details the name of the surgeon, date of her operation and the hospital which gives great reassurance if anything happens.
“I know I am so lucky to be here.”
Karen shared her story as part of the Her Heart Matters campaign and she shares some advice for women: “If something is new, or feels not right, get it checked. Mine came out of the blue. I didn’t want to waste time going to the doctor with tiredness or breathlessness but every concern is valid.”
She also encourages women to talk to each other. “I go away with my friends every year, and we speak about breast cancer, perimenopause, menopause, HRT. Now I share about heart disease too.”
