A mum who had discomfort in her chest was stunned by a doctor's diagnosis.
Rachel Munn, from Warrington, began to experience some pain in her chest when she was around 32 weeks pregnant. After going to her local A&E she was shocked to be told she'd had a heart attack and was showing signs of heart failure.
The specialist team at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (LHCH) discovered she had a rare heart condition called Anomalous Right Coronary Artery. Rachel said: "To say I was petrified was an understatement and it almost felt as if my world had stopped.
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"The LHCH team were clear that I couldn’t go home and wanted to monitor my heart very closely until a plan could be put together for the rest of my pregnancy.
"In the end they decided that the best solution for me was to be transferred to hospital in Manchester where their cardiac team could keep my heart under observation, and their specialist obstetric team could deliver my baby safely via C-section at 37 weeks."
Rachel said that the challenges only got harder, as immediately after giving birth, she was moved to the intensive care unit for five days, while her daughter was taken to the post-natal ward.
She added: "It was a really difficult time and the mix of emotions was unreal. I was so happy we were both alive, but the upset of her going off without me was heartbreaking. Eventually, following a series of further heart tests, I got the news I wanted more than anything else - I could go home and was referred back into the care of the team at LHCH."
However, a further challenge arrived within days of Rachel coming home as the first covid lockdown arrived. Due to her condition she was forced to shield. She said: "It was almost like a battle with my mind.
"But thanks to the care, support and reassurance that I received from all the clinical team at LHCH, especially the Psychology Team, I was able to slowly build my confidence and realised that a life lived in fear is not a life lived.
"Throughout covid, the team at LHCH were my lifeline and I’ll always be indebted to them for the emotional support that they gave me, and for making me realise that I could get back to full fitness and return to running.
"That’s why I want to show my gratitude for all they did for me, by raising as much money as I can for the hospital charity, so that they can support other patients and families like me."
Rachel will now be taking part in a fundraising challenge to give back to the hospital. She will be running a half marathon on May 21.
People can donate to support Rachel in her fundraising effort for Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Charity by clicking here.
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