FLORISSANT, Mo. — As American Heart Month draws to a close, Corvonne White, a resilient woman from St. Louis, is opening up about her harrowing journey of surviving heart complications.
Her story is one of survival, determination, love and the profound impact of second chances.
White, who has dedicated three decades to the beauty industry, reminisced about her fulfilling career, filled with numerous hair shows and independent events. She currently works as a consultant in the industry.
However, it is her role as a mother to her daughter Mia and her loving partnership with her husband that truly define her life's richness.
In February 2022, White faced her most daunting challenge yet when she experienced what she thought was merely shoulder pain.
"I had a shoulder pain. That was it. It was my shoulder," she said. "I walked around for two weeks. I had a massage. I had a hot pack. Cold pack."
Concerned, White sought medical attention, which led to a shocking discovery: she was having a heart attack.
The subsequent emergency double bypass surgery was a terrifying ordeal for her family and friends, but White faced it with remarkable resilience.
"I think I was in a state of shock, so everything for me... everything was just OK. Let's take care of this," she reflected.
White's journey was not without further challenges. Complications arose during her recovery, which led to another intense surgery lasting over nine hours.
"I did code blue, and they had to go back in and this time they didn't have to open me up, but they did have to go back in and reshock my heart," she said.
When asked about her emotions during such trying times, White expressed gratitude for her survival.
"I can't believe I'm here. As I look at this picture, it's just the grace of God," she said.
Every day, White told 5 On Your Side she embraces life with a newfound appreciation, cherishing simple joys like music, nature, and healthier lifestyle choices. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing warning signs, checking family history, and urges others to be proactive about their heart health, especially considering that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women.
She mentioned moderating her love for wine and fried shrimp.
White hopes her story serves as encouragement for others facing similar challenges.
"If God saves me not once, but twice, and hopefully, I can be a beacon of hope," she added.
Fast Facts from the AHA – Women and Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined. Nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of CVD. Women experience unique life stages that increase their risk of developing CVD over the course of their lifetime.
- Among females 20 years of age and older between 2017 and 2020, 44.8% had some form of cardiovascular disease.
- Among females 20 years of age and older between 2017 and 2020, 44.6% of non-Hispanic White females had CVD; 59.0% of non-Hispanic Black females, 37.3% of Hispanic females, and 38.5% of non-Hispanic Asian females.
Only 44% of women are aware that cardiovascular disease is their leading cause of death.
All women should “Know Your Numbers” – key personal health numbers that help determine risk for heart disease include total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index.
For more information visit, goredforwomen.org.