Sometimes
you just need to listen to – and follow – your heart. In today’s “28
Days, 28 Hearts” story, that’s exactly what Sharon Leissner did after a
family member died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). When she
noticed similar symptoms in both herself and her son, Jake, Sharon
immediately made appointments to get their hearts checked out. They both
were diagnosed with heart murmurs but were
assured they didn’t have HCM. Unconvinced, Sharon and Jake went on to
see multiple doctors, none of whom were able to identify the cause of
their symptoms. Persistent in her suspicion that they might in fact have
HCM, Sharon contacted Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association
and was referred to a doctor who specialized in the condition. His
diagnosis: Sharon was right; both she and her son had HCM. Both received
intravenous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), which
prevented further episodes for several years. “I wouldn’t be alive today
if I hadn’t been proactive,” Sharon says.
After the
Leissners’ cardiologist retired, HCMA referred Sharon and Jake to Dr.
Mark Link at UT Southwestern, where they both had their ICDs replaced.
Dr. Link has since helped them take control of their condition and
improved their symptoms. “I feel like I’m in the best hands I could
possibly be in with Dr. Link at UT Southwestern,” Sharon says. Dr. Link
has encouraged them to be active and live their life, and that is
exactly what they are doing. You can often find them fly-fishing and
enjoying the outdoors.
