For the Hearts of Moms & Daughters

By Sarah Fedele/American Heart Association

Heart disease has been a part of Stephanie Bowden’s life for as long as she can remember and now, she is sharing her heart story to help other moms, sisters, and daughters.

Her grandfather Harden Stevens and her mother Kimberly both had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a thickening of the heart. At age 11, Stephanie learned she also has the genetic condition, as does her sister Allison.

At 14 years old, Stephanie had her first open heart surgery at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Brenner Children’s Hospital. They shaved the heart muscle, and she had a defibrillator implanted.

In February of 2022, Stephanie’s mother passed away much too young due to this heart condition. “We lost my mother at just 51 years old, and that is not part of my plan. I don’t want that to be part of my own future,” said Stephanie.

This was also the same year that Stephanie had her first experience with AFIB, which is an irregular or racing heart rate. “It felt like I was running a marathon in place. Adam, my fiancé at the time, was with me when it happened, and he immediately knew something was wrong. We decided to go to the emergency room and while walking through the doors, my defibrillator went off for the first time. It was like being hit by a truck,” shared Stephanie. It did exactly what it was supposed to do, it shocked her heart back into rhythm.

“Living with this condition there are good and bad days but sometimes it’s on the front burner and sometimes it’s on the back burner. I try my best to keep it on the back burner. I also never let it hold me back. Plus, I do whatever I can, whatever my body allows me to do,” she shared.

In January of 2023, she married her husband, Adam. “Initially it’s scary to be in a relationship with someone because you constantly think about if you are a burden and don’t want to just be putting all of your situation onto that person. But I can say, he has been great and he is one of my biggest supporters,” shared Stephanie.

As a newlywed, she is also focused on becoming a mom one day. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of new moms, and with Stephanie’s history of heart disease, she is committed to being as healthy as possible before she starts in vitro fertilization treatments to get pregnant. She’s lost 50 pounds by doing water aerobics three times a week, listens to meditative music while walking, journals and eats a heart-healthy diet. The changes are challenging sometimes, but she knows they will be worth it.

“As a young woman with heart disease, you can feel so alone. I want other young women going through heart issues to try and not be afraid. It may seem like it, but you are not alone! You should be resilient for yourself. Set realistic goals, stay close to your support system, and don’t be afraid to live your life and to dream!” said Stephanie. Nearly 45% of women ages 20+ are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.

“By sharing my story this year, I could help to save other moms or sisters. I want to help give people hope. Hope for a full life. Hope for the future,” shared Stephanie.

The American Heart Association is celebrating 100 years of saving lives and pioneering scientific discoveries. For two decades, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement has been about women motivating each other, educating each other, and inspiring each other to fight women’s greatest health threat, cardiovascular disease.

Stephanie will be sharing her story at the Triad Go Red for Women Luncheon on February 2nd at 11 a.m. at High Point Country Club. Purchase your tickets at www.heart.org/TriadGoRed.

Share this story with all the moms, sisters and daughters in your life.

Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, and locally sponsored by Live Fierce. Life is Why Sponsor Novant Health.