Woman's 'widow maker' heart attack at 22 dismissed as panic attack and stomach bug

A young woman is marking the one-year anniversary of her heart attack, which happened when she was just 22 years old. Faith Harrison's symptoms were initially dismissed as a panic attack and a stomach bug.

Faith, now 23, began feeling unwell following a hockey match on January 6, 2024, suspecting she had pulled a muscle. Once home, she experienced vomiting, pins and needles in her left arm, and chest pains.

Despite calling 999 and mentioning her history of blood clots, she was told it was likely a panic attack and not an emergency situation.

When her symptoms persisted her family took her to A&E where they were initially told she had a stomach bug. However, an ECG "just to make sure" revealed that Faith was actually suffering from a "widow maker" heart attack, caused by a blockage in the main artery to the heart.

Following emergency surgery, Faith was told that her heart was operating at only 27 percent capacity, and she might require a heart transplant. Nevertheless, through changes in mindset, lifestyle, and diet, Faith has impressively improved her heart function to 47 percent.

Celebrating this significant milestone with her family and a specially made heart cake, Faith, a fitness coach from Little Minsterley, Shropshire, said: "It felt like I was being run over from head to toe. I said on the 999 call about central chest pain and my left arm had pins and needles.

"They said 'you're having a panic attack'. It was the worst day.

"My heart was working at 27 per cent back in January 2024. I wanted to manage it through medicine and lifestyle changes.

"No one was expecting to see any change. I had the scan and everyone looked at me wide-eyed. My heart is now functioning at 47 per cent - that's a normal functioning heart."